Page 133 of A Matter of Time

“Jory.”

I slid down the wall, crouched there, held up by the building. “Sorry, why do you need to talk to me?”

“You’re my witness, you idiot.”

I was silent, thinking about my stupid heart and how much yearning I’d done.

“Are you there?”

“Yeah, sorry. Go ahead.”

He cleared his throat. “You know those guys that chased you the other night? We brought them in on⁠—”

“You know who they are?”

“Of course we know who they fuckin’ are.”

“Oh.”

“Oh,” he repeated like I was brain dead. “Jesus.”

“Maybe I’ll just hang⁠—”

“Wait,” he rushed out. “Just wait.”

I sighed long and loud but said nothing.

“Okay, so like I said, we brought them in on separate charges, and their rap sheets are good for attempted murder, aggravated assault, and attempted rape. Lucky…you were just lucky they didn’t get a hold of you.”

“Yeah,” I agreed.

“Yeah? That’s all you have to say?”

“What do you want me to say?” I asked, rubbing the bridge of my nose, realizing that I hadn’t eaten dinner yet and I’d had a lot to drink while I was watching Trip dance.

“Why do you sound all weird?”

“I’m drunk,” I said flatly.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m on my way home.”

“How ’bout you meet me for dinner?”

Worst idea in the history of ever. “Absolutely not.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“Enlighten me.”

“You hate me,” I replied, and I sounded petulant even to myself.