Page 18 of The Fine Line

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And then I hear it.

Wonderwallby Oasis.

It hits harder than anything else has tonight.

And then it’s one of those odd blurry moments when you’re beyond drunk and start to think about doing something only to realize you’ve already done it.

My phone’s in my hand. The number is dialed. The phone’s ringing.

Then her voice answers. One I know by heart.

And one that doesn’t sound happy to hear from me.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Mom,” I breathe.

“Rhett?”

“Mhm.”

Beat of silence.

“Is the house on fire?”

I glance around. “No.”

“Then why are you calling me?”

I rub my face. “Just wanted to tell you the game went well.”

“That’s not what I heard from your father.”

My throat closes. “Is he there? Can I talk to him?”

There’s a clatter in the background, muffled voices. Then her voiceagain.

“No, he’s not. He had to turn in early. Had some work to get done.”

Of course.

“Okay.”

Three seconds of dead air.

“Was there anything else?”

I exhale. “I guess not?—”

“We’ll be back Sunday. Late. You have money for food.”

Click.

She’s gone.

I drop the phone. It bounces, clatters under the couch.

I don’t bother retrieving it.

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