The porch light is on when I pull into the driveway, and I wonder if Banner and Jacob are still awake. A wreck on I-75 delayed us hours. Me and the rest of Red Creek had been detoured and had to painstakingly take back roads with thousands of other disgruntled motorists. It hadn t been fun, and it had taken a long f*****g time.
I m quiet as I let myself in the house, even though I hear the TV in the living room on. As I enter the living room I stop for a moment, letting my eyes adjust to the dimness. It s then that I see Banner asleep on the couch. She s curled up on her side, a blanket up to her chest. Her hand rests below her cheek and her chest rises and falls with the breaths she takes. Crouching, I lean down and brush the hair away from her cheek.
Slowly, she opens her eyes, smiling
