Gabriel was slowly getting better. He still had to lie down sometimes, and the doctor had warned him to take it slow, but at least he felt he could do something with his day, rather than feel like he was miserable every second he was not in his darkened bedroom.

Right now, he was using that time to do some cooking. Mrs. Higgins was away to see a family member who was ill, and Malachi was paying house visits, and so this task fell to Gabriel. He didn't mind it. He was eager to be useful after spending most his time in bed for over a week, and he preferred it over having to talk to people at the moment.

Only he did have to talk to people; there was a knock at the door.

He took a deep breath, put his knife down, and slowly made his way to the door. His heart almost stopped when he opened it. At least this time he didn't faint. He had had some time to think about what he'd do when he'd meet Mr. Crane again, since he knew it was bound to happen.

He had also forgotten anything he had come up with.

He stared, mouth hanging slightly open as if he had been about to say something, but the sound never made it past his lips.