“You want an argument?”
“I prepared several points.”
“Save them.”
“I need to visit my parents.”
“Okay.”
“I haven’t been home in a while.”
Hank looked at me.
He knew whata whilemeant.
“Go.”
“What about the weekend lessons?”
“Gina.”
“She had food poisoning.”
“She recovered.”
“How do you know?”
“She asked for hours.”
“That does suggest improvement.”
Captain Pancake came over and sat on my foot.
I looked down.
“Are you approving the leave request?”
He leaned against my leg.
Hank nodded.
“Dog says yes.”
That evening, I packed a small suitcase.
Jeans.
Two shirts.
A dress my mother would claim was too thin for air-conditioning.
The birthday card for Annie remained inside my bag.
I took it out.
Placed it on the dresser.
Changed my mind and slipped it into the suitcase.
