Chapter 7

But it isn’t her. When he answers the phone just to stop the noise, it’s a coworker from the office, Brian. A nice guy, maybe a little too loud when he’s one cubicle over and sweet-talking to his lady on the phone during his lunch break, but Brian’s okay. For the most part.

But Brian wants to know how he’s holding up. He laughs at that. Holding up,as if he’s in danger of falling apart. Brian asks if he wants to go out tonight, just him and a few of the guys, a night on the town. They can swing by in a couple hours, pick him up, if he wants?

He doesn’t want.

Then here it comes. Brian tells him he needs to get out more, it’s what you’d want. He laughs at that, too. What’s anyone else know about what you would want? You’re not here to tell them. “I hate to see you like this.”

Me too, Brian. Me too.

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