JULIAN

I didn’t want to drop by their apartment, but I hadn’t had a choice. I could have sworn I’d seen Scottie lurking outside the block this morning and I imagined he’d be trying to worm his way back in. Thankfully he wasn’t back in their living room. Maybe Beverly would keep him far away from her in the future. Sometimes miracles can happen, so they say.

She and Rosie had seemed well enough, all things considered. I felt a surprising amount of relief for two women I’d met only yesterday. Especially for sweet Rosie. I couldn’t bear the idea of her getting hurt.

I lit up a cigarette at...