Shy away

I hurried to Alice. The sight of her waiting there, alone in the late-night darkness sent a pang of guilt through me. I shouldn't have kept her waiting, especially not in her condition. I should have returned her calls albeit, the busy day.

I could not believe that I got too carried away.

“Snugglebug!” her voice cut through the night air, edged with a love-laced annoyance. "Where have you been? I've been calling you for hours!"

The guilt intensified. I should have called, at least to let her know I was alright. But the day's events had been emotionally draining, and the thought of explaining everything had felt insurmountable.

“I’m so sorry, Alice. There was — a situation," I started, the words catching in my throat as Max's grief-stricken face flashed in my mind.

Alice's eyes narrowed. "A situation?" she repeated, worry creeping in. “Take a deep breath and tell me what happened.”

I touched Alice’s shoulder and turned her to the door. We had no business standing outside the house so l