"A reference?" Then, "Sorry, Gerry, I'm not your best source just now."

"But I need one to get a job!" Whiny, even belligerent. Gerry struggles to normalize his voice. "Just say I'm good with people, know a lot about books, that sort of thing. You don't have to volunteer anything."

Beth's sigh is palpable. "You were plastered at the station. If Christopher hadn't been there, I'd have put you right back on."

Gerry remembers (foggily) downing a large bottle of wine on the bus. He'd slept most of the trip, then thought he'd missed his stop, but it turned out the bus was simply running late. Besides, she couldn't know.

Still, she'd been distancing even before then. "You can come for two days," she'd allowed.

Once there, he'd been on his best behavior, even offering to chip in on the restaurant. Christopher, predictably, thankfully, declined. A fine time, and no drinks. Nada.

Before he left, he'd stripped the sheets, folded them neatly.

"Look, I got treatment like you suggested, Beth. I'm in a halfway house, now. Plus, I like Branden's Books, want to work." He used his I-need-some-support tone. How could she let him down now?

Another sigh, louder, resigned.

"Okay. But, if they ask, I'm telling the truth." Her voice: like she was wearing strange clothes.

After they hang up, he thinks maybe he owes her an apology. Step #5. Later, asleep, he dreams about the elephant in his living room.

"She's healing, Gerry," the elephant says. "You can, too."

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