The cold is at the windows demanding entry. It whips itself in furious assault, rattling the frames. We sit inside warmed by the yellow glow of the living room lamps. Our minds are warmed by the banging of the radiators as hot water passes through the pipes.
“What about Ty and Christy?” Alice asks me.
“What about them?” I sigh. Alice has a huge heart, but I can’t go there. Not tonight. I don’t have the energy. It’s been a long week. I had no fewer than a million different demands on my time, and I have three different accounts I need to close by the end of the month – seven days from now.
“They’re out there, in this.”
“They made a choice.”
“That’s what you always say.”
“But it’s the truth.”
Ty is her younger brother. Christy is his girlfriend. They’ve made some poor choices in life. I don’t grieve for them.
Alice’s family is great. Her parents are supportive and amazing. She and Ty had a great upbringing. From what I understand, Christy’s family was solid too. They knew better.
“You don’t have any heart.”
“That’s not true and you know it.”
The silence soaks up the wind and the noise of the radiator. I can’t hear anything except the tears forming at the corner of Alice’s stare.
This is the only thing we ever fight about. It’s not even a fight. It’s more a disagreement. We know how it’s going to end.
The silence stretches. The wind batters the windows. It was bitter cold when I came home from work. Now the sun has gone down. It has to be miserable out there.
“I’ll get my coat.”
She loves her brother. I love her. I hope I can find Ty and Christy before it gets much colder.
