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“I know You’re a good guy” I watched the traffic out therather than his face Typical Seattle traffic—we’d be rolling along only to co here inside the car

“I try But I know it sucks for you—for us—too” His voice cracked on us, a sharp noise I felt deep in ht I’d have more time stateside”

“Me too” My sinuses burned but I couldn’t cry, couldn’t add that burden to whatever he was already feeling His face was pale and his mouth a harsh slash across strained features He didn’t need one if they send you?”

“I don’t know” Derrick tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as traffic slowed “Likely weeks They don’t do an evac like this lightly There are all sorts of co the rendezvous to take on the new personnel”

“Makes sense,” I said flatly There wasn’t much else I could say

“I’et a say in that either”

“I know” In front of us, the city lights twinkled, the usual hustle and bustle continuing unabated

“I’ in Derrick’s voice, the sort of deep nuance I could work on musically for weeks and never completely convey I wasn’t sure how to reply either I couldn’t say it would be okay because it so clearly wasn’t okay

“I’m sorry too,” I said at last because that at least was true I was sorry for the other chief and for Derrick and for ht we’d have and now likely wouldn’t

“Do you want me to just drop you off?” he asked quietly “I can if that would be easier”

“No Nothing’s going toto bite The idea of trudging up the apartment steps onup et back?”

“Not yet They haven’t called When they call, I’ll have to go, but it could be hours or days yet My cos in order, but to keep going about my life until we know more”

“Waiting sucks” I shifted in ain

“Yeah, it does I’d rather ith you, have the night I proet it You didn’t sign up for this And I’ht either”

“I don’t want you to be alone,” I said softly, hating the vision of hi back alone as much as the one of me alone in my cramped roo?”