CHAPTER 177

I DIDN’T SLEEP WELL. Hell, I didn’t sleep at all! It’s now Saturday morning and I have no plans other than calling Danny and setting things right. I eat a bowl of cereal and wait for the clock to hit eight. Danny needs sleep, so this is me being patient. The minutes refuse to go by fast enough and fifteen seconds before the designated hour, I hit speed dial.

She doesn’t answer. I’m holding a rugby ball in my hand staring at the phone in consternation. “Just pick up,” I say out loud, the cell plastered to my ear while I toss the ball from one hand to the other. I receive no answer from the room and decide to try again at eight-thirty.

Once more, no answer. I try to keep my frustration on the downlow and barely manage.

At nine I get the same “leave a message” request and, again, I don’t bother leaving one. After a shower and endless minutes of contemplation, I jump in the Rover and head to her apartment. We are getting this out of the way and going back to friends. I don’t care how badl