By the time Bruce takes Jory home, it’s dark. He pulls into Jory’s driveway and turns off the car, but all Jory wants is to be left alone. His world has fallen around him, he’s shaken to his core. Nothing will ever be the same. The last thing Jory wants is Bruce hovering around him and apologizing for something he had no control over.
“Are you going to be all right?” Bruce wants to know.
Jory nods, unable to speak through his clenched jaw. His teeth ache, they’re ground together so tightly. Without looking into his friend’s sad face, Jory exits the car, slams the door behind him, and steps back from the car. After a long moment, Bruce starts the ignition and backs out of the driveway.
Jory stands in the cold evening air, Peter’s barn coat warm around him. A smattering of snow falls arou
