"Cacti don't live on much," Billy said, getting out of the way so Simon could re-enter the living room with the zebra plant. He hadn't been on his feet for more than fifteen minutes but the strain was already starting to show in the way he held his mouth and the white-knuckled grip on the cane. "I think they're kinda gutsy."
"Looks good by the door. Makes the place look like it's lived in." Then, on the same breath, he said, "I think I'm gonna sit down, if it's cool." He wasn't waiting for an answer before he headed toward the only chair in the place that looked capable of bearing him, the armchair with the cushions. "Lady left some directions. If I gotta water the plants I gotta get up to do it. It's good exercise. Sometimes I need a reason to get up." He realized a second after he said it that maybe it was a bit too much for the first meeting, and winced.