#rivervale_lodge

"His neglect has harmed Connor. True harm. How have Siv's choices harmed you?"

"How do you -feel- about him?" Frank insists.

A sigh. "I am not much thinking about him right now, Frank. I suppose...disgust."

"What about the woman, the foster that the boy in Memphis was staying with? How do you feel about what she did?"

"Or Dagmar's birth mother?"

"Frank...you cannot tell me that you feel you have the right to equate Siv with these. Siv is making choices that do not harm others. There is a difference." Frank can hear the tinge of anger in her voice at the thought of the comparison.

"Siv has made choices that -could- have. She is not drug addicted, or Ailil." Frank exhales. "But if they, and their choices and actions make you feel angry, or disgusted..... Then I can at least be -upset- that Siv is making choices that -could- have the same effect." He unfolds his arms and grips the steering wheel tightly.

"Upset, yes! Concerned, yes! Worried, yes! But not angry."

Frank takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.

She sits quietly, waiting.

"I will try not to feel the way I feel."

She frowns. "If you are angry at her for what she might do, that is unfair to her. If you are upset about the signs that worry you, then that is not anger."

"It is no longer like when she was little and we would be angry at her for disobeying. She is no longer a little child who must obey us."

"Yes, -that- ship has sailed....."

"It has."

"I will try."

A long pause.

"Will you come back to the Lodge tonight?"

"If you want me to." Dully. "I can sleep here if you rather, or..... that rest stop on the highway. Get some work in the morning."

She looks at him. "I would welcome you at home, but if another option is more comfortable, I will understand."

He shakes his head. "This is the place I want to be. If welcome."

"This...the rig?"

"Rivervale." He pauses. "You."

She nods and reaches to touch one of his hands on the steering wheel. "Come to bed."

He sighs. Then nods.

She lets go and gets out of the cab.

Frank does as well, locks up, and follows her up to the Lodge.

The door closes, and the two go to bed. The balefire seems to be more at ease.

(End Scene)