Alison was waiting for me when I arrived at Johnny's. I saw her standing by the door, bouncing impatiently on her toes as she stood there, alone. As soon as she spotted me she began to wave, jerking little motions with her hand, a wide smile plastered on her desperate face. My heart, already softening, cracked open and forgave her.

She rushed forward the second I parked, wrapping her arms around me, hugging me so tightly I could feel every bone in her ribcage. Alison was ...