Five Minutes

Land of Confusion

She got home rather late that day. It was refreshing she could have a conversation with Sallie that lasted several hours with no lulls or boredom. Since her circle of friends was diminishing, she was beginning to see the worth of those who stuck around.

She used to take that for granted. Being an actress with a husband who was also in the industry, it was easy for her to meet new people. And so she'd developed a variety of different friendships with a variety of different people. But friends were fleeting; they came and went. The ones that were in it for the long haul were the ones that mattered. She hadn't known Sallie long, yet she felt like they'd been friends for years.

After locking the door of the house behind her, she threaded through the place to see where Ralston was. He didn't respond when she called his name numerous times. Her concern welled and lingered for a minute, then she spotted him in the study, asleep.

Quietly, she walked over to the desk, careful not to startle him awake. And she saw all the papers and the books sprawled around him.

They were books and essays on sexual assault and the law. The sight of them surprised her.  The essays had been printed out; the pages all had random highlights and underlines and notes in his messy handwriting. When he had gotten the books? When she'd gone out?

She placed a hand firmly in his back, trying to shake him. It took another few times of calling his name for him to finally stir and lift his head up. He'd been sleeping with the right side of his face pressed against his desk; his skin was all red and his eyes were puffy and sleepy.

"Hey," he said hoarsely. "Did you just get home?"

"Yeah," she replied, removing her hand. "What are you doing with all this stuff?"

"It's research. I've read a lot of accounts of jurors in court finding a predator innocent."

And you think reading a bunch of books is going to help you figure out...what?" she questioned. "I'm the one who needs to figure that out, not you."

Ralston sat up straighter and turned in his seat to fully face. "I'm just...worried," he said.

"I know you are."

"This would be a lot easier if I shot him."

"You're the ones who's constantly saying we need stricter gun laws."

"This is an exception."

Veronica took a few steps forward and lowered herself onto the floor until she was on her knees. She raised her hands and plants them on the thighs. "Aren't you supposed to be focusing on your writing?" she asked, deliberately trying to veer him away from his concerns.

"I've been blocked... creatively. Every time I sit in front of the computer it's all blank."

"Because you're always worrying.

"Aren't you?" he fired, his voice angry. He released a breath, his eyes cast down. "Sorry."

"It's fine," she assured him. "I think you need some inspiration. I can make space brownies." She grinned.

"I don't think that'll help."

"Then what will? We could go for a walk?"

He seemed a mull that over before a weak smile crept up on his face. "Sure."

____________

One of the things Veronica loved about residing in Southern California was being able to go outside at night without worrying about a drastic drop in temperature from the afternoon. At least most of the time.

Veronica and Ralston had driven out to Laurel Canyon Park and walked up to the highest point of the trail - which had a green, scenic view of Los Angeles. It was nice and quiet and the cloudless night sky was a lovely bonus. They sat themselves down on the ground, not caring they'd be encrusted by all the surrounding dirt.

It was unwinding and a good break of the constant chaos of life.

"Why did we never think to move here?" Veronica asked.

Ralston turned to her. "Do you want to?"

Veronica thought about it and shrugged, biting into one of the granola bars they'd brought with them. "I don't know," she replied. "I think this might the most at peace I've been in a while. I like to pretend it's just us and no one else, even if that sounds basic."

Ralston began to laugh.

"What?" Veronica nudged him in the arm.

"I don't think I've ever heard to you use the word basic in that context."

"Whatever. I couldn't think of the right word!"

They sat in silent for a few moments, savouring the tranquility, before Veronica spoke again, "Sometimes I think it'd be better to get away from everything. Drop everything and go to...I don't know...Thailand."

"Maybe we could."

"I don't mean for vacation though, Ral. I mean I want to move somewhere else," Veronica said, taking another bite of the bar she has in her grasp. "I know that sounds like I'm running away from my problems but I don't give a shit."

"I get it," Ralston said.

This statement did surprise Veronica. She thought he'd accuse her of trying to run away like she'd been trying to do the last few months. "You do?"

"Yeah..."

"Then instead of doing anything or seeing anyone for Thanksgiving we should stay home and have sex all day."

"I'd agree to that but I know you're not being serious," Ralston said, smiling. "I haven't even been thinking about Thanksgiving."

"I'd rather just keep everything low key until everything is over," Veronica admitted.

"Okay, we'll keep it low key then," Ralston agreed. "No friendsgiving this year."

"Good. Cooking for that many people was a fucking hassle anyway."

Ralston laughed. "I thought you liked it?"

"Yeah, right. Being a hostess is stressful."

"You don't want to go anywhere either?"

Part of the truth was she doubted she'd be invited to many places. That came with the decreased number of friends. She could spend it with her parents or the few friends she had left. But Veronica was content with it being just her and Ralston this year. "No."

"All right. It'll be just us then."

It was better anyway.