“I don't think I've ever been this cold in my life,” Cal complained as he sat down on the ripped cushions of David's father's ancient couch.
David offered him a half-finished bottle of whiskey. “Here. Drink this. It'll warm you up.”
“Nah.” Cal waved the alcohol away. “Last thing I want right now is another drink.”
“Speaking of drinking, you said you dropped my Dad off at Leon's?” David was still more than slightly stunned to learn his father had accompanied Cal on his morbid errand.
“Yeah. He said he was going to go get so shitfaced he'd forget tonight ever happened. I don't think he was kidding.” Cal kicked his booted feet up on the wobbly wooden coffee table.
“He wasn't.” David slumped down into the couch beside Cal. “He probably won't even remember running into you by the time the sun comes up.”
“Just as well,” Cal said. “I only trust Ricky to a point.”
David just grunted. He had nothing to add to that statement. He agreed completely.
Cal closed his eyes and then opened them back up. “I'm going to head back to Possum Creek. I'm thinking I'll swing by Gracie's on my way home. I just really need to see her smile right now.”
“Go on.” David waved Cal towards the door.
“I am. Thanks for going and getting my truck for me,” Cal said as he stood up.
“No problem. It ain't that bad of a walk from the shop to the school. Helped me clear my head some.”
“I appreciate it,” Cal repeated. He hesitated in the doorway. “You staying here tonight?”
David nodded. “I'm going home, but not tonight. I don't want to see Pappy tonight.”
“Me neither,” Cal agreed. “He's got that way of taking one look at you and knowing something ain't right. I ain't up for his scrutiny tonight.”
“You ain't got to go home,” David reminded him. “You can stay here.”
“Me staying here on a school night will just raise even more questions,” Cal pointed out. “I'll see you in the morning.”
“You going to school?”
“Why wouldn't I be?”
“Ian is skipping.”
“Ian is failing, too.”
“Point taken.” David nearly smiled. “I'll see you in first period.”
Cal waved and was out the door with a thump. David laid down on the couch and closed his eyes, not expecting sleep to come.