Page 67 of Refraction

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not feeling well.” He’d look like an alien on Monday, eyes all puffy, pizza tummy.

“Calvin McIntire, never in the history of ever have you said no to a job. Whatever it is, suck it up, sober up, and I’ll see you on Monday. Car at 6:30 a.m.”

“Fuck you, Michael.” He was sober.

“You’re welcome.” Michael hung up.

He tossed his phone on the bed and pulled Tucker’s note out of the box, sitting down on the edge of the mattress to read it again.

It’stime for me to go back where I belong and get out of your hair. Hold on to this for me, please. Someday I’ll visit both y’all. I love you, honey. I’m sorry I can’t be better. T.

He’d knownTucker would eventually go back to Texas; he just never imagined it would be this way. He’d certainly never imagined there would be any issue they couldn’t compromise on. So wasHopefor him or for Tucker now? Which one of them was all that gray and which the bold red line letting the light in?

He put the painting on his comforter and took a picture of it with his phone, then texted it to Tucker, followed by:

I’ll keep it safe, tiger. Luv u2

Calvin didn’t wait for a response. He knew he wouldn’t get one. He set the painting on his nightstand and went to take a long, hot shower.

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