That makes the shiver spread inside me, all the way down to my toes. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m okay,’ he says. ‘But I’m living right in the middle of it.’ His voice drops into a huskier register. ‘That house, Amie, it gets to me. This girl comes over from down the street, she’s got her baby on one hip, and she’s coming for a hit off Kev’s pipe. Last night I woke up and I could hear the baby crying in the living room…’
His breath hitches, and there’s quiet on the line for a minute. I let him have the quiet before I speak because sometimes you just need to say it, just need to send it out there. But I don’t let the pause go on too long.
‘Harris, you only have one job, remember? You can’t do everything. You can’t save everyone.’ Which I realise is something Barb has said to me, on so many occasions. I push the thought away. ‘Just do the best you can with what you’ve got. And keep yourself safe.’Because that’s the most important thing– I stop the words from falling out of my mouth just in time. To cover the blank space I say what’s been on my mind. ‘Nick left town today.’
He doesn’t make a joke, although I know it must be tempting. ‘He’s your friend, yeah? I’m willing to bet you’ll see him again.’
‘Yes, he’s my friend.’ I can’t stop a sigh escaping.
‘Amie, you’ve got more than one friend in your corner,’ Harris says quietly. ‘Gimme a call, if you need me.’
‘But you’re –’
‘I’m here. That’s all I’m saying. Text me and I’ll find a place to call.’ He exhales. ‘That’s self-interest talking, by the way. Sometimes, I think touching base with you is the only thing keeping me from going crazy up here.’
‘Harris –’
‘Hey, I’ve gotta go,’ he says quickly. ‘I’ll see you Wednesday, okay? Stay real.’
‘Stay alive,’ I blurt, just before the line drops out.
I hope he heard me. I hope he’s taking my advice.
