When she saw him she stepped out into the light of the waxing moon, a Texas A&M sweatshirt over jeans. She hugged a bowl to her stomach.He saw that her face smacked of apology as he drew close.“Don’t tell me,” he said, peering into the bowl. It’s silvery bottom shined empty in the hazy lunar glow.“I’m sorry. I tried.”Dooley nodded and focused on her top. In big blue letters it said ‘TOTY’. “What’s TOTY?”“Teacher Of The Year,” Mary said. “It was a gift at the end of the last school year.” She gestured to the door. “Come on in. I have refills.”She walked up the steps and into the house. Dooley cursed under his breath and followed her in.“I have coffee,” Mary said as Dooley closed the door. She tore the top from a bag of candy bars and dumped it in the bowl. “A cup?”“Sure,” he said, sliding his jacket off and tossing it to the couch.“Here.” Mary handed him the bowl of treats and went to the kitchen. She returned with two steaming cups to an empty living room.A few notes rose from the piano.
