Thicker Than Water

THICKER THAN WATER

No!

Zach!

Zach!

Zach!

You OK?

Graveyard again?

It felt so real.

It's just a bad dream. Try to go back to sleep.

We should think about getting you a prescription for some sleeping pills.

I don't know.

You can't keep going on like this.

But I don't want the nightmares to end.

It's the only time I get to see Zach.

Don't forget I got a game today. It's semi-finals, versus Centennial.

- Home or away? - Home game.

I will be there with my loudest cheering voice, ready to embarrass you.

Thank you, Dad.

What about you, Mom?

I'm gonna do my best.

- How's your knee? - It's good.

You want me to make you a snack for before the game?

No, it's OK. I gotta go. Don't forget, though. 4:30's the game.

OK. You guys are gonna kick butt!

You're gonna try and make it, right?

- Did you see the mail? - No, why?

Well, we got the bill for the new hot-water tank.

- Just what we didn't need. - Yeah.

Have you given any more thought to going back to work?

You know, Colin said that the firm just hasn't been the same without you.

Might be good.

You know? See your old colleagues, think about other things for a while.

I'm sorry. I know that money's tight. I'm just not ready.

I did have another thought.

Maybe we could clear out the junk in the spare room,

fix it up a bit and... rent it to a college student.

Are you kidding me?

I mean, we could probably get an extra 800 bucks a month.

I don't want a stranger living in our house.

It wouldn't be forever. Just until you're ready to go back to work.

That's what this is about. You're trying to pressure me?

I'm just looking for a solution.

And if you have another idea, I'm all ears.

But we can't keep living like this on one income.

Why don't you make up a flyer and post it on campus?

It's just college students and a few professors.

You can handle it.

OK.

Semester's already started, but we might get lucky.

Right. "Lucky."

"Game's about to start. Hope you're on your way!"

What are you waiting for?

I'm gone, Mom.

Get out of this car and go watch Addie play.

Za...

You were on fire today!

- No one could catch you. - Thanks, Dad.

And that goal off that corner kick was amazing.

Yeah. I got lucky.

But Mom never made it, huh?

I'm sorry, Addie. I know she really wanted to.

Something must have come up.

Something always comes up.

Try not to be too hard on her, OK? She's trying. She really is.

You always defend her.

No, I'm... Hey, I'm not defending her.

I'm just asking you to cut her some slack.

What do you think I've been doing for the past year?

She's acting like she's the only one who's hurting.

You know, and I lost my brother too.

I know you did.

You know, we're all hurting.

And we're all doing our best to get through this.

It's just taking her a bit more time.

Thanks for coming and watching me.

You kidding?

I wouldn't miss it.

I'm really proud of you.

- Want some ice cream? - No, thanks. It's OK.

Was that actually a no?

- How'd it go? - They won! 4-2.

- Addie was the star of the game. - That's great. Congratulations!

I'm just gonna go in the shower.

Addie...

She really wanted both of us there.

- I know. - What happened?

I tried. I really did.

You can't keep not showing up in Addie's life. It's not OK.

Zach is gone, but Addie's still here, and she needs her parents. Both of us.

Hey, don't you think I know that? I am doing the best I can.

Are you? Do you really think so?

What exactly were you doing, instead of coming to watch her game?

I'm sorry. I can't just put Zach's death away

and move on like nothing happened.

I didn't just move on.

Someone had to step up and be the adult in this family.

Seriously...

what could be so hard about coming to watch your daughter play?

We've talked about this. I don't wanna see the other parents.

I don't want their pity or their condolences.

And I don't wanna make stupid small talk either.

People just don't know what to say.

It's uncomfortable for everyone.

Great, fine. So then, I'm doing them a favor by not showing up.

Everyone except your daughter.

I'm sorry.

That wasn't fair.

Look...

It's just that she misses you.

We both do.

But I am right here. I haven't gone anywhere.

Paige, come on!

Right, and now I'm supposed to feel guilty for grieving too?

That's not what I'm saying, and you know it.

No, I know that when I wake up in the morning,

I am breathing and my legs work, but my heart is broken.

And I don't know if I will ever feel whole again.

Can I help you?

I was just admiring your hibiscus. They can be real tricky to grow.

You must have a real green thumb.

I'm sorry, I'm Brandon. I'm here about the room for rent.

Look, I'm sorry, but we're only looking to rent to a female.

Yes, I saw that on your flyer,

but I was hoping you might be willing to make an exception.

You see, my roommate, he just bailed on me at the last minute,

and there are no other rentals available anywhere near campus.

I'm clean, I'm quiet, and I'll be at school most of the time.

Really, I just need a place to sleep.

I understand your predicament, but we have a teenage daughter,

so we really are only looking for a female.

I hope your luck changes.

Thank you.

What if it was just for a week or two, while I looked for another place?

I know none of this is your problem,

but I had to sleep in my car last night.

You see, I don't know anyone here well enough to crash with yet,

and I can't afford to keep paying for hotels.

What are you studying?

I'm majoring in biology-phytology, actually, which is the study of plants.

Plants. Yeah. I know.

Or at least, that's what I came here to study,

if I don't have to move back to Ohio because I can't find a place to live.

I'm sorry to have bothered you. I guess I'll keep looking.

And don't let your soil get too dry.

It thrives best if it's in a fertile, moist environment.

Wait.

If it's only for a week or two, maybe we can make an exception.

Just leave me your number. I need to talk to my husband first.

But I'll call you later tonight.

I told him he could only stay for a week or two, max.

Well, two weeks rent is better than nothing.

And hopefully someone else still calls for next month.

Fingers crossed.

I know you don't love this idea,

but I really think it's the best temporary solution for us.

We'll see.

So, what's he like?

Did you get a good feeling about him?

Yeah.

He's OK.

Kind of nerdy, I guess.

Nerdy's good. We like nerdy.

He's studying phytology.

Just like Zach.

Yeah, that's... weird.

I know.

Where's he from?

Paige?

Paige?

Sorry, what did you say?

Where's he from?

I don't know. I think he said, Ohio or Oregon.

Now, this is the bathroom,

and there's a linen closet in there, in case you need fresh towels.

Our room is around the corner, and this will be your room.

What about that room?

That's private.

There's hangers in the closet.

Laundry is in the basement.

It's perfect.

At least it should be a little more comfortable than sleeping in your car.

I will let you unpack and get settled in.

And let me know if I can get you anything.

Thanks, Paige. I really appreciate it.

OK.

You know, he hasn't said two words to me.

I just think he's a little shy.

I'm not complaining.

- How'd you do on your French test? - Comme ci, comme ça!

Hi, Brandon!

How was your day?

Good, thanks. I'll get out of your hair.

Wait. Where you going?

I was just going to eat in my room, if that's OK.

No, come on. Pull up a seat.

There's some more pasta on the stove, if you'd like me to fix you a plate.

I'm good with my sandwich, thanks. But I'll sit and join you.

- So, you settling in OK at school? - Yeah.

It's a super challenging program, but I'm really enjoying myself so far.

Said no one, ever!