#bergen_county

At The Barn, Dagmar has been home ("Laundry") but spent most of the weekend holed up in her room with Brown Dog. She's currently packing up her bag to head back to New Brunswick.

A knock on the door

"Hey, it's mom. Got a mo?"

"Yeah?"

She comes in, "Dagmar, you've mostly been holed up in your room with Brown Dog. What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Shoving clothes into her bag.

A brow lift "mmmph" ("Wish I were a Gwydion")

A breath "College that bad?" Cautious

"College is fine."

"But is it fine to you ?" She sits down on the bed edge

"Yeah, sure."

"Okay" She accepts for now "But if you ever feel too lost or lonely, we're here. If you ever need a hug or help, we're here."

"Yeah, I know."

A nod "Make any new friends?"

"Maybe?"

"Symon thinks Chelsea counts."

"Oh? Who is Chelsea?"

"A girl in my english lit class."

"She's not May."

"Few are... OH!" Realization "You got a letter!"

"I didn't know your generation did that anymore"

"No? We usually text."

She heads down stairs "Be right back..."

And returns with a manila envelope

Frown.

There's May's name on it

Her mouth twists into an unhappy line, and she opens it.

A hasty note: "Dear Sam! Much love from Cali. I've already learned a lot. And at your suggestion, I'm actually taking a class in script writing! The rason I didn't text is I wanted to show you my first script! A full copy! It's really bad I bet, but i DID it. I wouldn't have had the guts without you and Lupe. Please, keep texting now and then. I miss you guys so much ,and while I've met some nice folks here, they aren't YOU you know? Hope you get a laugh out of the Script. I might have been inspired a bit by the three of us. PS. I also sent some actual photos old school style. "

Sam's expression is hard to read, closing off.

One photo has May sunburned "It's very Sunny in California. Why didn't you warn me? " 😉 says a note at the bottom of it

She doesn't go through the photos. The whole bundle is also placed in the duffel.

The Script is titled....

"I should hit the road so I can make it back tonight."

but..she just puts in in the duffel

Tove brows at this "Will you visit us next weekend?"

"Maybe."

Tove says "I've prepared some food for you to take with you" A pause "Sam, remember, if you need to talk anytime, we're here."

"Food would be nice, yeah."

She nods "Also got some stuff from last week in a green container for Symon" She heads down stairs, brow knit in worried mom pose

"Green, got it. I'll be down in a sec."

And she's alone, except for Brown Dog

Who puts his nose against her and wags

"Good boy."

He IS! And she's the best person!

"Sis!" From outside her door, insistant

"What is it, CJ?"

"You're going?" He does not sound happy

She looks over - door may well be still open from Tove.

"Yeah, gotta go kiddo."

"But you jess GOThere!"