Chapter 13 - Shannon

[Link to Chapter 1 (Beginning of Book)]

[Link to Chapter 12 (Previous Chapter)]

I knew it was Phil when I heard the knock. Even though he’s never knocked on this door. I moved after the divorce. It’s 11:42 p.m. Only one friend would show up at this hour. Now that I think about it, I only have one friend.

I open the door. He just stands there, breathing hard. Shaken.

I don’t know what to do. I’m great at thinking through things that have happened before. An expert, really. But seeing my best friend like this is new. It stuns me. We buried both of his parents, and somehow this is worse.

“She moved out,” he says. No hello, no preamble.

It’s something I knew was coming but also thought would never come. Like a sickly great grandparent who outlives every doctor’s prediction, then falls down the stairs. I should have prepared better.

“Well,” I say softly, stepping aside. “Shit.”

He enters like gravity just remembered him. There’s an empty vodka bottle on the couch where a second person is supposed to sit. From two nights ago. What was her name? Not important. I move the bottle to the end table like a collectable.

Phil pulls a large manila envelope from under his jacket. He shivers, like it was keeping him warm. I gesture at the couch. He sits, like he was waiting for permission he didn’t need. On-brand for Phil.

“She filed, too,” he says, offering the envelope.

“In a sec,” I say. “You want coffee or whiskey?”

He nods.

“Guess that means both?” I smile cautiously.

“I don’t know what I want,” he says, almost angry. Not on-brand for Phil.

“Good,” I say. “Sounds like you’re ready for a divorce then.”