"I mean really talked. It just seems a shame to let this go."
"I'm not letting it go, it's just complicated," I said.
"Oh trust me, I know complicated."
"What's going on with Billy?"
"They released him. He told them he was fine and they let him go in the middle of the night. He was walking back to the old house when he realized he had no place to live."
"Did he call you?"
"Yes, not at first, but he got lost and I guess he thought he had no choice. I picked him up and I brought him to a hotel near the house."
"So is he okay? I mean he knows you're still broken up, right?"
"He does. He's not happy about it, but he knows he screwed up. He's looking for a new place but hasn't had much luck. I told him to give it a couple more days and then I might let him move in."
"Are you crazy?" I asked. "You were scared shitless of him just a couple of weeks ago."
"I know, trust me, I know. But it's different now. I know that's hard to understand, but when he's sober, he's great."
"And what if he starts drinking again?"
"Well, I already told him he still needs to find a place. And he's not staying in my room, he can sleep in the spare bedroom. If he even takes a sip of something alcoholic, he's gone. I will call the police this time."
I sighed, feeling worried for her, but I had to trust that she knew what she was doing.
"Alright, but if something happens or if you need me for anything, just call."
"I will," she said. "When are you going on a second date with Doctor Taylor?"
I laughed. "I never said I was going on a second date."
"I know you didn't, but I really think you should. If you're not going to talk to Gideon, then you might as well give this guy a try. It's better than staying home alone all the time."
I never minded being alone. Being alone didn't mean I was lonely. But since I lost Gideon as my friend, I did feel empty. I'd have to give going on a second date with Taylor a little more consideration.
* * *
As soon as I got to work on Monday, Janice popped her head into my office.
"He told me he asked you out on a second date," she said. "See, I knew it. I knew you'd be perfect for each other. You're going to go, right?"
Great, now I have to let her down.
"I'm really not sure yet," I said. "I'm really busy and have a lot going on right now."
"Okay, okay, I know I can be pushy. Just promise me you'll think about it. He's never asked one of his blind dates out for a second date."
"I promise I'll think about it," I said as my nose scrunched from the lie. Luckily she didn't know my tell like Gideon did. "How was your weekend?"
Gideon. Somehow everything led back to him. It didn't matter what I thought about, I now had the ability to connect everything to him.
As Janice babbled about tending the tomatoes in her garden, I nodded to pretend I was listening.
Tomatoes. Tomatoes are used to make ketchup. Gideon puts ketchup on everything.
Sigh. Pathetic.
