Not until she realized it was booming from the next-door neighbor’s room did her racing heartbeat tempered down.

 It was a strident rock song, probably one from the 90s, the detestable type that made her want to scream at both the artist and the listener to shut the fuck up.

  Joel used to love those in his teenage years, a small voice reminded her, and she grabbed a pillow, tossing it at the window facing the neighbor's.

  “Take that! Loser.” She yelled, grateful that the music was loud enough to mute hers.

  No wonder she despised rock songs. 

  Stomping off to the kitchen to check on the pizza, she forgot...