#anywhere

Frank waits.

She shakes her head, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Tell me." A gently, encouraging, order.

"Stupid things. Things I can't have."

"Tell me."

"I thought maybe... I thought being Dagmar it'd be different, but I'm just... me, still."

"You're Dagmar dealing with Sam's life, Sam's issues."

"And Sam's trash."

Frank thinks about that. "I never met Sam. I wouldn't know, but I wouldn't call anyone trash, especially if I don't know them."

"Some people are just thrown away."

Frank nods. "I don't throw people away."

"Nobody wants... once you're too old, it's just... too much, too many things to fix... nobody wants that."

"Dagmar." He stands slowly, and his knee pops. "Give me time. I'm working on it."

"Don't. Things aren't... what's true is true, right? And all the wishing and wanting won't change it."

"I should... I've got homework, I gotta go."

"You can do it here if you want. And, just because I'm the Mountain, I think I'll work on what I want to work on. You're not the boss of me." Mildly, and not without humor.

"I gotta go. See you after school tomorrow, maybe?"

"Sure." Frank nods.

"....sure. Okay..." She lingers, studying him for a long moment before she bolts.

"Bye." And she's off.

Frank watches her go, then sighs with a shake of his head. "Hang on, kid. Just give me a little more time." And he heads for the Lodge.