molly continued again

I sleepily opened the front door less than 12 hours after Toby left, finding him drenched in sweat, duffle bag over his shoulder.  

"It's so early," I whined, stretching as I moved out of the way for him to come inside.

"Busy day, and I'm not sure when a more convenient time would be for you..." There was a hint of sarcasm with the serious look he gave me and I felt my tummy twist into knots a little.  

"Thanks for coming back... I know, um, I should've talked to you yesterday."

He nodded.  "Better late than never I suppose."  Toby took a good look at me.  I must've looked terrible — early mornings are not a time of day that I should be functioning.  "While I shower it'll give you time to wake up a little."

"Coffee?"

"Sure."

x-x-x-x

"So what's going on?"

I sheepishly gulped and cowered into the sofa.  "Since... you know... everything with Violet... I've been not doing such a great job at.... um... keeping up with my own stuff."

He didn't say anything at first, flat expression, urging me to continue.  It wasn't exactly an inviting gaze.  In fact, it made me fidget in my seat and look away from him, unable to speak.  "What haven't you been keeping up with?"

Chewing on my lower lip I threw my shoulders up in a shrug.  "I dunno... like... work...."  I glanced up at him.  "I got really behind on paperwork..."  

Finally he sighed and shook his head, sitting up straight.  "Molly, I understand you're nervous, but at this rate we'll be here all day.  Please make this easier on us both and just tell me what's up.  If you wanted to do all this stalling, you should've taken me up on the offer last night.  Today we don't have time for games."

Tears welled in my eyes but I took a deep breath to keep them in a few seconds longer.