Chapter 37

The front door opened and Tess ran up to me. The chilled shadow of late winter clung to her fur. She burrowed her nose in my hands, and I felt pure sour panic rise up my throat. Choking, I hid my face in her thick coat. Oddio! I inhaled brisk winter and damp upturned soil.

She felt soft and alive.

Gabe added wood to the fire and then sat down next to me to unleash Tess.

Enveloped in panic, I barely lifted my head; in a whisper I asked him about the Oz Endurance.

"Where did you hear about it?"

"On TV."

"What did they say?" he demanded as his head snapped to the screen.

"That it will be going on despite the expected extreme heat."

"So-it's official?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

"Bloody hell." He grabbed the remote control to search for more news.

"What exactly is it, Gabe?"

No answer.

"Gabe?"

He turned the TV on mute, tossed the remote back on the coffee table, and cast me an unfocused look.