Friend.

We've been friends for so damn long...

... I startle when a small head pops out of the window behind me.

"Are you okay?"

It's Beau's little cousin, the same person who was staring at me out the window this morning. Their eyes are wide, and the expression of concern on their face tugs at my heart. They almost reminds me of Jenny. I'm not okay, but I don't tell them that. "Yeah. Fine." I turn back to look out over the shadowy ranch. I love sitting up on this rooftop in the quiet, dark night.

It's peaceful. Just me and my demons.

"Want some company?"

I sigh and drop my head. I don't want any company.

But I don't tell them that either.

They’re crawling out before I can even answer, but I offer them a, "Sure," anyway.

The roof is still dark, but it's no longer quiet. A person I barely know monologues about their life, and I just listen. They talk so much that even my demons can't compete.

Tonight and for every summer night after, they sit with me. I don't invite them. they’re just there.

And sitting with them is peaceful...