I pull into a spot behind Joey’s car and turn off the Mustang. For a long moment I just sit there, hands on the wheel, waiting. Somehow I expected…I don’t know, someone to greet me would be nice. But the street is empty, I could be the only person alive in this whole damn city for all I know, and where the hell is Joey? Shouldn’t he be watching at the window, waiting for me to drive up? What the f**k am I doing here anyway?
Finally, when it becomes evident that no one’s going to make any fanfare about my arrival, I get out of the car. With slow, measured movements I retrieve my suitcase from the trunk, set it on the ground between my feet, and stretch into the crisp air. Blood begins to move through my body again, invigorating my muscles, making me feel alive. From the corner of my eye I
