I left home for the Hooker House while Rita was doing her second overview of the forecast that morning. Jess held my hand while we drove.

"Don't worry about Kat," Jess said. "She's been under a lot of stress."

"I know," I said without conviction.

"You were awfully eager to come with me," Jess said. "It's not about the interview, is it?"

Jess still struggled to find new girls. She was exacting in her standards.

"Maybe," I said. "Maybe not."

"Don't be coy," Jess said. "You're not good at it."

I didn't respond, and Jess let it drop. I just drove. We parked in the garage of the Hooker House...