ARIA

In the morning, I leave the hospital, and Uncle Barty drives me home.

I stare out the window the entire time. I couldn't sleep, and when it finally happened, I dreamt of Ryder. There's a corner of my mind that's aware that Uncle Barty is talking to me, but not a single word registers. I'm so distracted that he could shout at me and I still wouldn't hear a thing he said.

At times, I ask myself if maybe I was a little too harsh on Ryder. Most of the things I said to him were meaningless ...