It’s been a week since I said the worst thing in the world, and my life is falling apart. My brother has moved out and the apartment is spotless. Dad hung out with Clayton and teed him up excitedly for our meeting about an inspection program for the company electric towers. You’d think this would all signal an improvement, that I’d in fact say I’m at the top of my game.

But I’m not sleeping. I stopped shaving. I know I need to apologize to Maddie ...