Ed isn’t wrong, and Stede hates it. He deeply despises being compared to all the people who have misunderstood Ed over the years, assumed what he wanted and needed without bothering to really ask. But--
“You’re right.” But he can’t rightly argue, so he’ll spare them both the attempt. It’s the same as when he’d stood and listened to Chauncy list off his sins, his failures. There had been nothing to say, other than that he wholeheartedly agreed.
“That wasn’t fair to you. I didn’t think it through, and you suffered because of it.” Though he’d been afraid of him suffering more if he’d stayed. It’s exactly why he’d felt, in that moment, that he was doing him a favor walking away. He could explain that. Could add that he’d left the money and title behind too, once and for all, to find Ed and make things right. But would it matter?
He swallows hard, his next question coming to him in a burst of clarity and intense anxiety.
“What,” he asks, trying not to lose his nerve midsentence, “does Ed think is best for him now?”
no subject
“You’re right.” But he can’t rightly argue, so he’ll spare them both the attempt. It’s the same as when he’d stood and listened to Chauncy list off his sins, his failures. There had been nothing to say, other than that he wholeheartedly agreed.
“That wasn’t fair to you. I didn’t think it through, and you suffered because of it.” Though he’d been afraid of him suffering more if he’d stayed. It’s exactly why he’d felt, in that moment, that he was doing him a favor walking away. He could explain that. Could add that he’d left the money and title behind too, once and for all, to find Ed and make things right. But would it matter?
He swallows hard, his next question coming to him in a burst of clarity and intense anxiety.
“What,” he asks, trying not to lose his nerve midsentence, “does Ed think is best for him now?”