Thursday, September 6th

That Thursday, he paid his cell bill, then stopped at the grocery store for money orders and stamps. That was where he ran into Katelina's friend Sarah. Her curly brown hair was held back with a set of silver clips, and the sundress looked too summery for the season.

"Pat-rick Mull-ens." She pronounced his name like it was the clue at a crime scene. "How are you?"

He edged back into a snack display. "I'm cool. You?"

"Oh, I'm 'cool'. ...