Re: [New Year’s Eve: Hannah & Jeremiah]
She smiled at him when he assured her the year would be wonderful, and she willed herself to believe it. She didn't want to bring bad things into the night, not at all, but he was looking at her intently, and she wanted to confide. more than anything, she wanted to tell him what had been going on, to have him listen, but then he would see her differently, and everything would change. She could tell half truths, and she always did, and she considered. She considered and considered, and she listened. "How did you learn about him?" she asked, her curiosity true and genuine. "How did you reach out to him? What did you say?" It was as if he'd opened a door, and she was trying to pry it open and see more of what was inside. "He's not here now, is he?" She didn't think he'd mentioned knowing anyone here. "Is the house his?" Questions and questions, and she didn't look sheepish about them at all.
She smiled when he said he might write, that maybe he might do it this month. "For me, this year was about reconnecting with my family. It hasn't been all good, and there's been a lot of bad, and I kind of have no idea how to talk to them. But I think them being here is better than not having them at all, and I haven't given up yet on something wonderful coming of knowing them again." She tipped her head, ear to her shoulder, and she looked at him. She thought him wise and kind, and maybe he would have good advice. Thought, thought, thought.
And words, because she took a deep breath and onward. "Have you ever had someone you didn't understand very much at all? You want to, and you know you should, and you care, but you just can't understand how they tick, and you can't tell what to say to them that'll be right?"