In Which Vera Is Reminded What the Living Can Do

October 14, 1190

"Mother?"

Vera blinked. She didn't know how long her son had been standing there. She hadn't spent much time in the physical world since making. "Sorry, I... I didn't see you there."

"It's fine." Though she might have preferred an accusation to the concern. "Are you all right?"

Was she? Others were worse off. Others like the people who kept her up at night. "I just have a lot on my mind."

"The ghosts again?"

So that was how Lucien had explained it. Fitting enough, maybe. "Yes."

Severin shuffled over and sat down next to her. He had his father's gentle heart and an assertiveness he got from neither of them. Her parents, maybe.

"Anything I can do to help? I mean, I know I can't help with that, but I could... I don't know. Grade papers or something."

"No, it's fine. I don't need anything." Just a moment's peace. "I'll just sit here for a while."

"Oh. All right." He nodded. "Want me to sit with you?"

She smiled. The living could at least do that much for her. "I'd like that."

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