For the remainder of the time in line, he tried to ignore Jodie’s blatant glaring at him. After paying, they made their way to the exit, and Mitch finally broke down with an exasperated, “What?!”

“I need a cigarette,” Jodie grumbled, then spun around and put several steps between them. She was already out the door before he could register the words.

“Hold on,” Mitch quickened his pace and caught up, then stood quietly while she fumbled with her lighter. There was a chill in the air that signaled summer’s near eventual conclusion, and he shivered. “Jodie, c’mon.”

“You gonna call him?” She finally responded after taking a long drag and exhaling smoke.

“I-” Mitch swallowed, and looked down at his screen again. Sometimes it seemed like Jodie had been far more impacted by the transgressions in his own relationship than he himself had been. He nodded. “Yeah.”

The phone icon was pressed, and Mitch moved to put some distance between himself and Jodie. After several rings, it picked up. “Hi,” came the creaky voice from the other end, obviously having been woken up.

“Hey Calv,” Mitch squeaked out. “I’m sorry to be calling so late.”

“What’s going on?” There was a loud yawn.

“I uh, there was an accident. During my match, I fell and I landed on my head.” After a moment of silence, he continued. “But I just got out of the hospital. My shoulder’s kind of messed up, I’m in a sling right now, but I’m OK.”

“Jesus, Mitch,” came the response after another pause.

“Like I said, I’m OK!” Mitch repeated, this time the words out spilling faster. When he heard the heavy sigh, he heart began to thunder in his ears.

“You know that what you do is dangerous, right?” Calvin deadpanned. “I’ve told you this at least a hundred times. And for what?”

“I…I know that. But accidents happen, and-“

Calvin cut him off. “What are you going to do?”

“Jodie said that I could stay with her.”

“And you said you’re fine?”

“Yeah.” He stared down at a piece of gum that had been embedded and hardened into a crack on the sidewalk, and ignored the way that his face began to flush. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Cool. So I have a meeting first thing in the morning. Can we talk later?”

“Sure.”

“Great. Later, babe.”

And before Mitch could complete the phrase “love you”, the call had disconnected. He let the buzzing drone on for a few seconds before he finally lowered the phone.