In The Haze

The doors open as I'm thanking Aaron for his help and both boys get into the car, but I don't bother to get up.

"Hey, Healer," Laurie calls to me, surprising me, "I bought you a salad. You like that, right?"

Even though I have no appetite at all, that little act of kindness surprises me so much that I sit down to grab the container he extends to me. I can't waste the fact that Laurent did something nice, maybe it will teach him not to be such a big asshole in the future.

"Yes, thank you," I reply. Laurie hands Rio a burger and he takes it, but does nothing to eat as Laurie starts driving again, eating at the same time. I force myself to take a couple of bites of the salad, but it's all I can take before I start to feel nauseous.

"Rio, at least try to take a little bite," Laurie mutters some time later, "Or I'll eat it myself."

"Go ahead, I'm not hungry," Rio says, tossing the closed burger in Laurie's lap and turning toward the window. He stays that way the rest of the way until we re