Chapter 23

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I’m in my room around ten, stripped naked, and waiting, but Jack never shows. I fall asleep and when I wake with a start, nobody’s there. It’s morning. I hop out of bed, dress and clean up, then take a quick breakfast, all the while having no idea what I’m up to. I only know I have to find Jack and see what he’s about.

I find him drinking at the Acme. One eye is swollen and purple and there’s a bruise along his jaw. I wonder what his middle looks like. When I approach, he throws back his drink and stalks out, but I refuse to be refused.

I follow him, catch his arm. “Jack,” I say, but he shakes me off. Outside, I keep at him. “You’d beststop and talk to me because I’m not going to let up.”