Re: [Webster's Vinyl: Holly & Dietre]
Dietre did not deny his failure at being a good liar, he’d been a bad one his whole life. He just sort of gave Holly a kicked puppy look, someone who was used to being told negative things about himself and felt he deserved it but still got hurt just the same. He let the insult go without comment. What could he even say?
He slid the bag off the table, fingers curled tight around the handles. “If you’re sure… Thank you.” The desire to poke around in search of potential gifts had completely left him. He had that horrible withering feeling inside, it was the feeling he got when his attempts at being social went all wrong and backfired. Like he was shrinking, or spinning down a drain. All tight in the chest and ashamed of himself.
Tell Noah about this? “No, I won’t-- I just-- I think I better not…” He was mumbling now, anxious to get away.
“Um… Well. Tell him I said hello and I’m glad he’s doing better, and-- Well, thank you again.” For the piano, and to Holly, for the records. He backed away from the counter as he spoke, and for a moment he hesitated as if he was going to tack on the customary ‘It was nice to meet you’ or at least some sort of goodbye, but his voice dried up in his throat so that he feared he might choke on it. So, instead he just turned away and slunk toward the exit and a night of hating himself for his stupidity and lack of tact. Nothing new, only the usual. It was a wonder he ever left his bedroom at all.