“Hey, kid, I don’t know why I’m telling you this. Maybe it’s the alcohol talking, but I just want you to know there’s nothing like having a wife and kids. It’s the best goddamn feeling in the world.”

“My parents,” I say, “they’ve been fighting. They both got pink slips, too.”

“Yeah, I heard. It’s like the whole damn town got laid off.” He pauses. “Do they love each other, your parents?”

“I don’t know. Doesn’t seem like it. But they’re both good people.”

“Men have a way of screwing things up, Ramsey. And when a marriage falls apart … well, it’s usually our fault. Trust me. I know.” He pats my thigh a few times like I’m his dog. “You have a girl, Ramsey?”

“Yeah.”

“You love her?”

“More than life.”

He laughs. The odor of malt liquor and cigarettes fills the cab.

“That’s good,” he says. “That’s real good.” He looks straight ahead. “I did some bad things when I was married, some real bad things. Thought I was smart enough to get away with them, but it’s hard to cover your tracks these days. All I’m saying is that if you find love, don’t mess with it. Respect it for what it is.”

“I think my dad needs to hear that.”

“I’m no role model,” he says. “I’m just speaking from hindsight, but if I had a second chance, that’s how I’d go about it. I’d respect it and work to keep it alive.”

Silence.

“Take care, Barry. Thanks for the ride.”

I push the door open a few inches. The dome light illuminates the cab.

“All right, Ramsey,” he says. “Thanks for listening to my drunken babble.” He laughs again.

I hop out and close the door.

Barry Deck drives away.

Walking along the sidewalk, I step on every line and decide that Blaine, Michigan, might just be the strangest city in the world.

Chapter_19

19

Sarah’s email came two days ago but I just saw it this morning. As I’ve said, Justin has the only computer in the house, but he’s always on it when he’s home and he keeps his door locked when he’s out.

Except this morning he forgot to lock it. Actually, this has been happening more and more with him, and I attribute this carelessness to his commitment to staying drunk all summer, a goal he’s well on his way to achieving.

So I go in there and check my email and see this quickie from Sarah:

Z,