“No. She’s one of the most important people in my life. If not the most important person. Once she decides she’s not mad enough to at least talk...we’ll be able to work something out.”

For an entire week, Ren has been waiting outside of the Caramel Apple Café & Bistro, lingered in the lobby of his own apartment complex, lurked around the corner of the Milk Bar...and hidden around every other haunt that he could typically find Gabs. His behavior earned him more than his fare share of uncomfortable stares and a litany of questions regarding his own intentions. No, he wasn’t trying to track down an ex-girlfriend, he need to have a word with his sister.

His phone calls went to voicemail, his dozens of text remained unread, even his phone call to Aunt Sunny left him with you two need to work this out like adults. Well, Ren couldn’t work it out like adults if Gabs refused to even speak to him --

He resorts to sitting in Gabs’ bedroom in the apartment they share. She has to come back for her clothing and lotion and her favorite perfumes at some point. Ren locks the door behind him, turns off all the lights, and sits in the corner of her bedroom long enough for his eyes to flutter closed. When he stirs, the toy cat still remains in his lap, but he’s lost any and all track of time. At first, Ren assumes the movement he hears on the other side of the door belongs to Todd getting a snack from the fridge until the door to Gabs’ bedroom opens and she flicks the light on. 

Ren fumbles to keep his composure. His hand strokes the fake cat in his lap the way a cheesy villain would in an old James Bond movie. “So...it’s come to this for me to get in touch with you...” He was one step away from looking into carrier pigeons to send Gabs a note. “Todd, get the door!!”

"Yes. Plain and simple. I owe my entire life to Gabs' mother - my Auntie Sunny. There are so many people who've helped me get to where I am right now."