We drove in silence for a while and then?—
“Is everything okay now?” he asked.
I frowned, turning to meet his gaze across the dim light of the backseat.
“What do you mean?”
“You said you got terrifying news that day.”
I took in a long breath and blew it out, not sure I wanted to let him in on my personal life but then deciding I didn’t care. If he wrote about Addie, I’d know what kind of person he truly was.
“My best friend got in a horrific car accident. I literally got the news seconds before stepping in shit.”
“Is she okay?”
I nodded.
“She is. Mostly. Still pretty banged up though. She broke her cheekbone, her arm, some ribs… I’m actually flying to Seattle tomorrow to see her again. She’s home now.”
“Damn.” He reached out and this time didn’t pull back before giving my arm a gentle squeeze. “Well, that would certainly make me lose my shit over some shit too.”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed.
“I am sorry,” I said. “I actually barely remember it. I was in such a state. Absolutely blinded with fear. I couldn’t even recall most of what I said…. until I read it in your article. And then I was horribly ashamed and embarrassed. But, you know. Still self-righteous because…”
“I didn’t pick up the poo?”
I nodded.
“She’s dying,” he said, his voice soft.
I frowned, not understanding, and then my body filled with sadness.
“Brontë?” I whispered.
“Yeah.”
“Oh. Graham. I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t even realize she’d… apparently it can happen when dogs get older. They lose their ability to hold it and they just go.”
“And then I lost my shit.”
Despite himself, Graham laughed.
“Shit happens,” he said, making me laugh now too.
“Apparently,” I said and then glanced out the window as the cab slowed and pulled over. “This is me.”
I grabbed my purse to pay but Graham stopped me.
“I’ve got it,” he said.
“No. I owe you.”
“You can get it next time we find ourselves stuck outside in a rainstorm together.”
I smiled. “Deal.”
