Chapter 56

It would take nothing to see Sean. I should just leave the library, take a short walk, and turn the corner, but it’s too hard.

* * * *

The following Friday, I find the courage and look for the tattoo parlor’s number. A couple times I pick up my cell phone but quickly put it down again. Then finally I go for it: I make the call.

“Stan’s Tattoo.”

“Ahem, hi…Stuart?”

“Yes.”

“It’s Ryan. Is Sean there?”

Silence.

“Hello?”

“He’s working.”

“Oh, well. Is he really busy? Or can he come to the phone for a minute?”

God, how embarrassing.

The following silence makes me check to make sure he’s still on the line. Stuart isn’t very chatty, but now we’re talking about a serious case of verbal constipation.

“Hello?”

The new voice startles me. “Sean…”

“Yes, it’s me. What’s up, Ryan?”

Please, smile. I can feel it, if you smile…

“How are you?”

“Quite good, you?”

“Well, more or less…”

“Do you have something to tell me or did you just call to say hi? I’ve got a client who—”