"Of course I'll visit! I would want to make sure you are alright and I like to keep track of my friends. It's not out of sight out of mind..." He tried to be assuring and meant every word, though Simon seemed better at the moment. "Thanks, that means a lot. They are nice kids. And Bram just needs to grow up a little. He'll be alright I think.."

Simon nodded. "They'll hate my guts for leaving..." he said.

Elijah shrugged and drank a little more as he stared down at the amber liquid. "You need to focus on pleasing yourself first. You can't please everyone and it won't matter if you're always miserable." He sunk into.the seat staring at his hands holding the cup.

Simon drank. "Aye... but it will be hard on the family for a while, without me, until I can get a decent job in York. Will is gonna hate me, because he'll have to take over all of my tasks, and he's only ten, he ain't as strong. And Rose will be the eldest at home... She tried to stop me, last time I wanted to go... I wonder... maybe I should wait." And yet he knew that was no longer an option. Things had been getting worse and worse.

Elijah had words to say, but they tasted like acid on his tongue. He looked down and still it slipped from his lips. "Was it fair to you when Tom died? Sometimes it isn't fair and I think people should figure out other ways and not drag others down if they can."

The mentioning of Tom made him frown. He looked at his glass and bit his lip. They all still missed Tom sorely, but he was barely mentioned. "Aye, but Tom didn't choose to die. He fought, and it..." Simon shook his head. "Wasn't fair on him either. Should have been me..."

Elijah was quiet, using the drink as an excuse to be quiet for a moment. "He was a really good man and didn't deserve it. But I don't think anyone is to blame. And neither you or any of your brothers should be forced to pick up the slack."

"Aye he was..." Simon downed the rest of his glass at once and poured himself another. "No work, no food." he said. "We must all do our share... God, he'll hate me." He looked at Elijah hopefully, as if almost begging him to confirm: "But once I get a good job, I can make things better for all of them. I could take weight of father's shoulders, so maybe he won't be such an ass to everyone. And I can make sure Alice can stay in school and go to a college."

Elijah nodded. "He'll be furious but he was already. And yeah. I think you'll do a lot of good your way and he'll realize how much you care about the family." He patted his shoulder lightly and finished his drink.

"I meant Will... He'll hate me. Father..." He took another sip and glared into the distance. "I'm lost to him."