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7 Years Ago—August

CAMERON

It was the night of Josie Mitchell’s high school graduation and she was drunk as an adorable skunk

And Cameron was in the tenth circle of hell Did hell have thatundiscovered hell territory—of course he’d be good at that

“That was a great night,” she said, looking up at hier seat of his car

“I’er side door to help her out

“No,” she said indignantly, and then all but fell out of the car

“Okay, I gotcha,” he said, getting her to her feet and propping her up against the front fender Where she slid, like she had no bones, toward the front wheel

“I had fun because of you,” she said “You made it possible, Cameron”

“Well…” He didn’t knohat to say to that so he let the word trail off, grabbed her by the waist, and shut the passenger door The sound of the sla off in the bush and he hoped he hadn’t just woken up the whole family

“You give the best gifts,” she said, turning to look at him, which meant her face was very close He could turn his head and…

Do not turn your head

His graduation present to her had been chauffeur service for her and her friends froe in the Catskill Mountains—to all the graduation parties So she could have fun and be safe

“Well, you’re no slouch either,” he said The only way he kne to take a compliment was to deflect it

“Okay, five questions,” she said

“Josie”

“No It’s my turn You five question me all the time”

“Fine Go” He pretended to be annoyed But ht coaround had been broken on Haven House Top five favorite movies Top five favorite television show finales—those were her type of questions Top five ways to eat potatoes Five worst things you’ve ever eaten—those were his

“Best gift you ever got?”

“The coffeeh-tech, expensive ca that fit in the palm of his hand He loved it so much He loved that she kneould love it “But the year you got ood year, too”