Chapter 20

“Come in,” I tell him.

We walk into the kitchen and stand by the counter, next to the sink and a bowl of empty K-cups I haven’ttossed into the garbage yet.

“Would you like a drink? Something strong? A coffee? A water.”

He shakes his head. “Thank you, but no.”

“Is it Harold? Is he all right? What do we need to talk about?”

He tells me, “Have a seat.”

It’s my turn to listen. I move to the three-person table and sit.

He sits next to me, leans into me. “It’s about the cowboy.”

I feel slightly relieved, learning that Mr. Keller is fine, unharmed, and alive and kicking. My relief is soon lost, though. An emergency has happened with Jobe, hasn’t it? He’s fallen down the steps and broken his leg or spine or…something. He’s accidentally tumbled over in the living room, falling to the floor after cracking his head off the coffee table, bleeding everywhere. A tumor has exploded inside his skull. He’s dead. I know he is.