Chapter 24: Because You Are Here

At three in the morning the dock lamp buzzed, and the lake was black behind the fence.

It was the second week of December, four degrees, and the steps had been salted.

I sat on the top one in my parka and navy scrubs, with my knees up and a thermos between my boots.

The mason jar sat on the rail beside me.

Someone had added a second label under the first one, in marker.

NEW BREAK ROOM COUCH: PAID FOR. KEEP GOING.

The steel door opened behind me.

Roan came out with two paper cups and his grey hoodie zipped to the chin.

"Coffee, Dahlquist."

"Thank you, Avery."

He sat down beside me, with no gap at all, and his thigh pressed against mine.

I still noticed it every time.

"Your bed came on Tuesday," I said.

"I know. I was there."

"Ebba pressed on the mattress for a full minute."

"I saw."

"She said it's sturdy and the floor won't carry."

"She sounded disappointed," Roan said.

I laughed into my cup.

The wind came off the lake with a bite in it, and Roan put his arm around my shoulders without asking, and I let him.

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