I tried to tell you, he said to her. Tried to tell you all about it, she blew smoke in his face. This is truth. And truth scares people. Makes them run away.

I’m not going anywhere, she told him. Why should I? ‘Sides, I got no place to run.

Right. We both burned bridges a long time ago. Can’t go to Philly or D.C. Baltimore is out of the question.  Hell, there’s folks looking for us in Chicago, too.

She took a drink of her whiskey.  Well, she said. We’re running low.

Yeah.

Gotta figure something out.

Right, he scratched his forehead.

How much money you got? She asked with a smile.

Hundred bucks.

That’ll get one of us to New York. She put her head in her hand with her elbow bent.

What’re you saying?

Put me on a Greyhound to New York. You can hitchhike. Here’s fifty. Keep it. You’ll need it. We’ll meet in Washington Square a week from today. At noon.

You sure about this? The kid asked.

We’re in a jam. Get to New York and start all over again.

He slid the hundred over to her.

You’ll see. Everything will work out fine.

Washington Square? He asked.

Yeah. She kissed him. We’re going back there. This time, it’ll be different.

I hope so.

Trust me.

OK.

Make sure your phone is charged. I’ll text you on the way. She got off the barstool. Bye for now.

Washington Square?

Yeah. Everything will be fine.

OK. I love you.

I love you, too.

What were you going to tell me?

Nothing. Nothing at all.