(Oh okay, I was wondering who she was. XDD)

Alicia let herself become embraced by Juliette.  It had been so long since someone held her, since someone let her cry.  As soon as she felt the warmth of the other woman her sadness boiled over into an ugly cry.  She had trouble understanding why every thing landed on her shoulders.  Why did she have to raise Jake?  Why couldn't she have gotten him to the doctors sooner?  Why did both of their parents abandon them?  After what felt like an eternity, but was more like twenty seconds, Alicia's cries calmed into sniffles which quieted down into soft, slow breathing.  She hated self-pity, especially when she did it.

She pulled away from Juliette.  As much as the young woman would have loved to stay there forever, she knew she had to continue her strength for her brother.  "I'm sorry," Alicia said, wiping her tear-covered face.  "Thanks for being here for us.  For [i]me.[/i]  I don't know what I would do without you."