Chapter 18

They decided on casual clothing, so once they’d cleaned up in the bathroom, David took Bud to a steak house where he knew his friend would take full advantage of their All You Can Eat buffet.

Chapter 4

“It’s a good thing we came in my car,” David said, helping the inebriated Marine across the parking lot to his three-year-old Camry.

“I’m sorry,” Bud slurred.

“It’s okay. I suppose it goes with the territory, Marines and liquor I mean.”

“You ain’t a real man if you can’t hold your drink.”

David didn’t agree, but knew Bud wasn’t up to holding a deep and meaningful discussion over it.

“Okay, can you buckle up yourself, or do you need me to help you?” David asked once he’d gotten his friend sat in the passenger’s seat.

“‘Course I can, I’m not a fucking baby.”

David winced, he’d been afraid Bud would turn into an angry drunk. Closing the door, he walked round the hood to the driver’s side and got in, not looking at Bud.