FSE

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There was a gentle tapping at the cracked open door. Alex turned to see Lorrie's face peeking through the narrow gap. He quickly removed his half-on headphones and jumped up to open the door. Lorrie was carrying a large box.

"Delivery." She said with an upbeat tone. "I'm not interrupting, am I?"

"Oh, no. Not at all." Alex replied. "What's up? Whatcha got?" He stepped aside and motioned for Lorrie to come in.

"Found this with my things, but it looks like your stuff inside." She explained, setting the box on the bed. "Didn't get too far before I realized, your secrets are safe."

"Oh, thanks hon." Alex said. He started rummaging through the contents, Lorrie peeking over his shoulder.

"Can I be nosy now?" She asked playfully, hands clasped behind her back.

"Of course." Alex chuckled. "You've probably seen most of it already anyway. Looks like stuff from the last move." He said as he pulled a few items from the box; a thing, another thing, and something else. "Oooh, I _wondered_where that went." He held up a trinket.

"You're such a messy packer!" Lorrie commented.

"That depends on what I'm 'packing'." Alex replied with a sly grin. "But you're right, this is atrocious. Oh my god, why did I keep these!?" He held up an old pair of pants. "Why did I own them? Ugh." The face he made got a good laugh out of Lorrie, who in turn got the pants tossed at hers.

"Hey!" She protested.

"I don't remember this..." Alex held up a large hardcover book, looking over it curiously. He grimaced at it, as if offended that it defied his memory.

"_Looks_interesting." Lorrie said. "Could it be Wynne's, maybe?"

"Maybe." Alex shrugged, cracking the book open. Something small fell from between the pages. "Whoopsie-daisy!" He bent down to pick it up. "Her stuff does... tend to, uhm..." His voice faded out as he stood up, staring at the photograph in his hand. The life drained from his face and he stood completely still, but for a subtle tremble building in his hand. His eyes widened and the corners of his mouth fell, drawing his lips apart.

"Allie?" Lorrie said. He didn't move. She stepped up to the bed, standing beside him. "Alex?" She looked him right in the face, but his eyes were locked on the photo. Her hands fidgeted anxiously, debating whether to touch him.

The glistening of tears began show in his eyes, his breathing became shallow. A tide of memories broke its waves behind his fixed gaze. He took a sharp breath through his now runny nose, a pained expression creasing his features as he exhaled choppily. He composed himself with a few more breaths, his mouth hanging open.

"I'm fi-hhhhhuh" The word caught in his throat, his face contorting as the air was squeezed from his lungs and drawn recklessly back in. His eyes shut tight, releasing the welling tears to stream down his face as he began to sob and sink to the floor.

"Oh sweetie..." Lorrie dropped down with him, pulling him tightly into her arms. The photo slipped from Alex's fingers as he turned toward her embrace, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face in her shoulder as he cried.

"It's okay, it's okay." Lorrie rocked him back and forth gently, stroking his back with one hand. "Let it out." Time lost meaning as they sat there, muffled sobbing and Lorrie's gentle humming the only sound.

After a time Alex became still and Lorrie stopped rocking.

"Allie?" She said quietly. He was asleep. Carefully as she could, Lorrie maneuvered him into a lift-able position, then moved him up onto the bed. She gently wiped the snot and tears from his face with a tissue before closing up the box and placing it beside his desk. The photo found its way into her pocket. Lastly, she drew the curtains, pulled the blanket over him, and kissed him on the temple.

Lorrie stood in the doorway, concern clear on her face as she watched Alex sleep for a few moments. His expression did nothing to allay her worry. She sighed, flicking off the light and quietly closing the door.