Chapter 5

“I…look…can I sit down?”

I kept on eating. Joey sighed and pulled out a chair, uninvited.

“I found Grady.”

I said nothing.

“I was pissed that he was being such a turd, and I went over to his apartment. I kept knocking on his door, but there was no answer. Before I could kick it in, a neighbor opened her door and told me…” His hesitation caused me to look up.

In spite of myself, I asked, “Told you what?”

“He’s in the hospital with minor injuries. Salem Memorial. Driver left the scene.”

Now that got my attention. My fork clattered on the plate. “How? What the fuck happened?”

“He was hit in a crosswalk in front of his apartment building. Car ran the light.”

Goddamn

“You said minor injuries. What does that mean?” My first thought went to Grady’s hands and his music. Please, let his hands be okay. Music is his life.

“Bruising on his ribs and left hip, but nothing broken. According to the doctors, he’ll be sore for a while.”

Thank God it wasn’t worse