Odd.

3.2 Waiting

The doctor had told them the operation would take a few hours, and that Copeland's mom would be very weak and tired so they wouldn't be able to see her until the next day. They still waited.

His dad's phone was on silent. When Copeland saw him do this, he raised his eyebrows at his dad who gave him a tight-lipped smile.

"They can handle one day without me, bud. Your mom needs us."

To This Copeland nodded and then leaned his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. That silence was still there, not as powerful as before but it still circled them, crowding them in a suffocating bubble of quiet.

They'd only been sitting there half an hour when his dad stood and smoothed out his shirt.

"I'll get us some coffees," he said.

Copeland nodded and watched his dad disappear down the hall. After a moment he pulled out his iPod and leaned back in his seat. He could feel it all inching closer,wanting to drive him over the edge of madness so he put in his ear buds and turned the volume as loud as it would go.

He Closed his eyes and let his head tip back.