Chocolate chocolate chip ice cream, caramel-flavored ice cream, and a caramel core. And it was full? Jackpot.

Zoe

Can I have some ice cream?

She heard more roaring and operatic music from the living room, but no answer. She took that as a yes. Spoon in hand, she took her treasure back to the couch.

Robert

Ooh, give me some.

Zoe fed him like a baby so he didn't have to put down the controller.

Robert

More caramel!

Zoe

Are you almost done killing that thing?

Robert

Well, sort of ... alright, I'll pause it.

The music and action stopped and once again the room was lit by the static pause screen.

Zoe

You don't have to. I like watching.

Robert

It's alright. I want to hear what's up with you.

Zoe leaned back against her cushion. In actuality, she didn't feel like telling Robert her story. She couldn't think of a way to tell him without mentioning that she had been drinking. And Robert was vehemently against drinking.

Zoe

I just needed to get away from my mom.

Robert

Did you guys fight again?

Zoe

Yeah.

Robert

I'm sorry....

Zoe

Do you think it would be okay if I slept here tonight?

Robert

Yeah, sure. But isn't your mom going to notice that you're gone tomorrow morning?

Zoe

Who cares.

Robert

Zoe—what if she calls the cops?

Zoe put more ice cream in her mouth and shrugged her shoulders

Robert

Whatever. What were you fighting about anyway?

Zoe

I don't know. Can we watch something?

Robert slunked off the couch and hit a switch on the TV. The Cartoon Network came on. A girl with cat ears and a tail was screaming at what looked like an indifferent robot. Robert sat back down next to her.

Robert

Come on, tell me what's wrong.