Chapter Text
“Michael, I’m sorry,” Sandy’s voice was hoarse from shouting, leading it to sound quiet and meek. “Really.”
“Really, it’s fine,” Michael replied with tact, though Sandy could tell he was tired. “I take it the party went…some way? You sound like you had fun. That, or you were screaming for any number of negative reasons.”
“Oh, Michael,” Sandy’s lip began quivering as she opened her arms. Michael looked down at her with a great deal of concern upon his face. It was plain to see he knew what was up. Cordially, he asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Oh, Michael!” Sandy began to bawl, gripping Michael in the tightest hug she could. Not wanting their neighbours to hear her, he shut the door behind her before walking her over to the couch, sitting with her and taking her in his arms. “It was horrible,” Sandy drivelled, her speech almost incomprehensible as each orifice on her face leaked with something different. Michael’s shirt was beyond saving at that point. “I shouldn’t have gone at all. I should have just told them I was dead, or something.”
“It wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“Michael, it was awful! My mom is just as disappointed in me as ever.”
“Disappointed?” Michael sounded genuinely surprised. “Why would she be disappointed in you?”
“Because I’m not the biggest actress on the planet,” Sandy tearfully explained between sobs and hiccups. “I’m making money; I don’t actively want to die; and it’s still not enough for her! It wouldn't be enough to satisfy her, and therefore, it’s somehow not good enough for me.” Michael remained silent for a moment as Sandy continued to sniffle, her face still buried in his shirt. “Sandy,” he spoke calmly and compassionately, “I’m sorry.”
“You didn't do anything.”
“You know what I mean. I’m sorry you had to put up with that.” Sandy shook her head as best as she could. “I didn’t!” she corrected. “I left early. I couldn't deal with her anymore.”
“Good!” Michael exclaimed suddenly, taking Sandy by surprise. His passion suggested something to her, though she didn’t want to pry. “She doesn’t deserve to have you around if she’s not going to be appreciative. If you’re happy, provided for, and driven, what does anything else matter? I’ll never understand parents like that; it’s like they feel like they’ve failed because someone they just so happened to make isn’t doing exactly what they want them to.”
“I wish she could see it that way,” Sandy sulked. Michael’s embrace tightened slightly as Sandy allowed herself to become closer to him. “When Jeff can finally get off of his ass and finish his play,” Michael jabbed, “I know you’ll do great in it.” The thought put Sandy at ease; Jeff’s play would be a wonderful one to act in. “I’m going to put my all into it,” she proclaimed. “I’m going to take all of my malice and bitterness, and turn it into motivation.” Looking up through teary lashes, Sandy smiled at Michael. “And if that leads me to become dependent on wholly negative emotions, then so be it.” Smiling back to her, Michael replied, “And don’t let anyone tell you you’re wrong for doing so; they just don’t get it.”