Put A Price On Emotion

james: well, isn't this an unexpected surprise?

james: i'm happy you decided on sending one, it was a good choice because i was planning on texting you tomorrow and asking if you had any prior arrangements. i have to be at the studio in the morning but i should be free after 4... if you aren't busy, i can pick you up at 8? that way i have enough time to show you a proper good time?

𝓛𝓲𝓵𝓲: 8PM tomorrow works perfect for me, actually!

𝓛𝓲𝓵𝓲: Hello, you!

❛ understandable, sometimes it’s just easier to lock yourself up and let the world do what it’s got to do while you binge watch netflix. but you know, if you ever feel the need to step out, i’ve been known to be a ‘good time’, not sure if i’m better than netflix… but you’ll never know until you try. ❜

“I think it makes you very human and that everyone, no matter how social, has periods of time where the last thing they want to do is deal with people. So if you need to just hide out until things aren’t so blah stay inside and avoid people, you’ll come out when you’re ready.”

“i completely understand what you mean. i feel like the only people i’ve seen in weeks are my kids and husband. it’s so easy to just get caught up in life and when life is chaotic, you don’t want to leave the house. i think my bed is my favorite place to be at this point in my life,” josie sighed. “i miss being fun and cool. now i’m just blah and boring.” josie offered a comforting look, “i don’t know what you’re dealing with, but everything will work out fine in the end.”

zoo: yeah, lots of people say shit like that for various situations. but you're his mother

zoo: so i'm going to give you increments of his time and let HIM get to know you.

lilith: i am and i appreciate that you recognize that and are gonna relent and let me see him.

zoo: not one who'll walk out on him, lilith. a bit of a later start

zoo: let's focus on ace and his needs, i can't focus on anything more than that right now

lilith: that's the past, now, Zoo!! im different. i wouldn't do that to him again. im sorry. i regret leaving.

zoo: don't i? ace needed his mother, at one point in his life.

zoo: you'd definitely need a trial period

lilith: needs, present tense, zoo. c'mon. I'm trying here. doesn't that count for something??? i don't know what you want from me other than effort...

zoo: it took you an awful long time to come to that conclusion

zoo: those words do look real pretty over text. but i think we got all we need, i mean that.

lilith: you don't mean that. Ace needs his mother, and I know if I came into his life I'd need a trial period. but i'd definitely prove that I'm serious about being back for him.

zoo: i just wanna know. over text is better for me

zoo: trust me when i say im taking everything you say with a grain of salt so no worries

lilith: I needed to see you two again... i have missed you two since the day i left. and its been really killin' me being away from you and my baby

zoo: god this feels like it’s gonna be one hell of a rabbit hole question answer situation but fuck if I’m not gonna ask anyway.

zoo: why’d you decide to find ace and I now?

lilith: zoo... do you really want me to tell you over text?