g, Carl didn't

t before, allowed himself into a situation that wasn't his to manage. Marilyn had made that

stayed

cus had deterio

conference room overlooking the city while his executive team debated quarterly p

by lis

n't used to standing still while things unfolded without his i

ar

turned back to

ghed in," his CF

ssed," Carl repli

ing ende

ion, Carl found himself drivin

l on, but the sign read CLOSED. He sat in his car for a long m

he step

ders were slumped, hair pulled into a messy knot, exhaustion etched into

n hardened wh

e clo

l said. "I wo

nodded toward a ta

sped loosely in front of hi

thing," he said. "Or buy

d an eyebrow.

pologize," h

stil

oosing his words carefully

ied him, gua

something breaks, I step in and control the vari

n't int

ng," he added. "A

ed felt different,less

he said slowly, "most people apologize because they wa

oth," Car

ou, Carl. I just don't want

d heavier than

immediately. "Make

blinked.

" Carl said. "Which I'm realizin

despite herself. "Careful. That a

-brief, unguarded. "Don

for a moment, the café hum replace

arefully. "I did some as

ead snapped

hborhood. Someone saw a teenager take it. I left my num

on softened.

re we

o leave, Marily

id. "Do you...

. "You're

e replied. "

. " How do you like your coffee?" Carl asked as she set the coffee down on the table. "Lots of milk and creamer but no sugar". "G

ghtly. "I like place

don't pretend much eith

"That might

d in the same town. His years spent moving from city to city. She spoke of stabil

nd stepped outside, Carl

ated, the

r phone rang. She glanced a

it?" Ca

see", Carl replied unimpressed. "You have to try it", she exclaimed as she dragged him towards the food van. "I must say you got great

dn't a

she added, voice tight

s surged but he

rd," he sa

, surprised. "You did

admitted. "But y

ut genuine. "Thank

utside her apa

night,

ight, M

sappear inside be

once more, Carl realiz

s cha

use Marilyn Porter was quietly sh

e, he didn'