You alive or did you fall asleep halfway through the drive?
Me:
Alive. Barely. That was a long one.
Riley:
You always were dramatic. How is small town paradise?
I lean against my truck, looking down the quiet street.
Me:
Weird. Familiar. Loud in a quiet way.
Riley:
That sounds like something you’d say after one therapy session.
Me:
Mom cried, Henry hasn’t changed. I haven’t talked to Dad yet or seen him.
Riley:
Tense?
Me:
Ya, unfinished business tense.
Riley:
Give it time, man. You being there matters more than either of you will say out loud.
I glance back toward the café without meaning to.
Me:
Ran into someone from high school.
Riley:
Oh? Who? Old friend? Old regret?
Me:
Violet.
Riley:
The one you always talk about?
Me:
I don’t always talk about her!
Riley:
