Chapter 3

“I’m not looking for entertainment. I just don’t think you should be alone.”

I didn’t pay attention to where he was taking me. We were on a freeway, things whizzing by, and I fixed on the blur. I stared out the side window as life truly passed me by.

* * * *

When we got to Tom’s apartment, he had to help me out of the car. I tried to explain that I usually held my liquor better, but he shushed me. “It’s okay. Come on up.”

The stairs were a challenge. Partway up I began to list to one side and Tom, behind me, put his hands around my waist to guide me. I liked the feel of him. His hands were bigger than Raymond’s. “Easy,” he said when I stumbled on the top step.

Once he had me inside, he pulled off my jacket, helped me lie down on the couch, and put a pillow under my head. “Thank you an sleep?” he asked.