Chapter 13

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Next morning, I wake alone and feeling like hell warmed over. I puke again, take water, then fall back into bed and sleep again. Next time I wake, I’ve no idea the time. I get to the window to see the sun high, so I dress and head for a restaurant as I need food. At Kelley’s Lunch Room, I manage biscuits andcoffee and, once somewhat righted, have scrambled eggs. When I emerge from this feast, I’m feeling almost myself again, wondering where Lane is and what the others are up to. The day is already warm, and after walking around a bit, I sit out front of a store, content to watch folks pass by.

In time, I see Jack coming along. When he sees me, he smiles, and when he reaches me, he stops. “Feelingbetter?”

“Much. Thanks for seeing to me last night and for, well, for the other.”

“You’re welcome. You know, anybody else would get locked up for public drunkenness. I run a clean town.”