"But he did ask Alice. None of us like the idea, but it's her best chance right now. Oh I know you are trying to help, Elijah. It's just... I don't know. I suppose we're all afraid."

Elijah slumped down. "I suppose you're right. I just wish, you all weren't so afraid of Ben."

That stung. "Its not..." Rose bit her lip. Then she remembered the water, conveniently disappeared and returned with a cup of tea. "Here you go." She sat back down. "Who is your friend?"

Elijah sighed as he sat back and thanked her sipping it. He didn't know how he managed to avoid spitting tea everywhere, perhaps he knew it was coming. "Anthony? I met into him one night wandering the street. Seemed like an unhappy sort so I brought him inside to a bar so he could warm up. We had things in common, so I let him come here to sleep if he wants to. I like the house not being empty, its a nice change. Sometimes he helps clean the place and he likes my cooking." He smiled weakly and shrugged. "It's nice to make a new friend as rare as it happens."

Rose was aghast, but tried not to show it. "Don't you think..." But she stopped herself. Elijah was way too trusting, but he was miserable enough at the moment. "I'm happy to hear you've made a new friend," she said instead.

Elijah nodded and smiled weakly. "Thanks. It's nice to have someone to talk to." It was nice to have someone to hold and to kiss too, but that wasn't the important part. He sipped his tea and closed his eyes. "I guess I'm just exhausted and stressed." He sighed leaning back into the sofa. "What do you think I should do ?"

Rose gave him a gentle smile. "Oh Elijah. I think in the first place you should stop being so hard on yourself. As for your friend... you're being very kind. Just make sure... well... that you also look after yourself."

Elijah looked at her confused. "I agree with most of what you said. But .. how do you think I'm not taking care of myself?"

"Well, like... tonight you'll have to sleep on the sofa..." She said.

Elijah chuckled softly. "I've done that plenty of times, like when the boys came here. If I have a guest, it isn't uncommon, especially if I thought they needed the bed more than I did. If I'm opening my home to someone, I want them to feel like a real guest and I sadly don't have another bed for them.'