“Like I wouldn’t?” “Well, thanks anyway. And please, please reassure your mother that I’ll see her soon.” “I will. She kind of lost it.” “Kind of? For hell—I thought she was going to have a coronary.” “Yeah. Once she starts crying she can’t stop.” “Oh, and make sure you thank her for accidentally forgetting to pack up those Sheppard’s pies.” “I will. She accidentally tossed them in the trash.” “I’d rather eat dirt that one more bite of those pies.” He laughs. “I was going to say I’d rather eat mud pies.” We laugh. “So, are you excited to be back in the city?” “Yeah, I think so.” “You don’t sound so sure.” The last couple of weeks have been hell on Jaxson. The DA— the press.” “The press has cooled somewhat but there are a few still hounding him. You’d think after two weeks they’d move on to the next crisis.” “You’d think.” “Well, here we are.” We pull up to the curb in front of my loft. It’s been fifteen weeks and three days since I’ve been in the city and things feel and look surreal.
