Jillian looked at Megan like she hadn’t heard. I can say anything, thought Megan, and only what she wants to go in goes in.

“Awww,” said Jillian. “Well, it’s this really cool place with rescue dogs on the outside of town. These aren’t just dogs whose owners can’t take them anymore, these are dogs who’ve experienced real trauma.”

“Aren’t those the kinds of dogs who need around the clock care and training?”

“Awww, but I think we can take care of one. I already have it all figured out. With the extra money I get from the coding business I’m starting, I can hire a dog walker, and then when I go down to part-time hours, you know, to work from home more, I’ll only need the walker two days a week.”

Ah, yes, the coding business.

Sometimes Jillian could see what was to come with such clarity it was as if she were already paying the dog walker with a sealed white envelope of cash.

Sometimes Megan wanted to walk over to Jillian and block her airways.

AS IT WAS FRIDAY, it was now time for serious drinking. On the walk home from the bus, Megan picked up a twelve-pack at a discounted price. Before taking her shoes and jacket off, she opened a can and finished half of it in the kitchen, standing by the door.

JILLIAN PICKED UP ADAM and drove home and, while they were eating dinner, asked him if he wanted to have a doggie. He looked at her earnestly and said, “Yes, I want to have a doggie.”

RANDY HADN'T ASKED CARRIE to help him with his project after all, even though it was something he really thought would be fun. While Megan was standing by the door, ravaging her can of beer, Randy received a text message.

“Oh. Do you want to go to Will’s house?” asked Randy.

Megan took of her shoes. “Yeah, sure.”

He came to hug her.

“Hold on, let me get my stuff off first.”

She took off all her crap, handed him a beer, put the rest of the beers in the refrigerator, gave him a side hug and a kiss on the cheek, then walked to the living room and sat on the couch.

“Ah,” she said. He sat in the chair by the couch. “How was your day, honey?” she asked.

“It was good,” he said. “We got a new client who wants us to make a website for his barber shop.”

“Cool.” Megan nodded, maybe a second too long.

JILLIAN THOUGHT she should really clean up before the dog got here, but she needed to lie down first.

MEGAN EMPTIED the rest of the beer into her purse and they walked over to Will’s. “I feel like I’ve been waiting to get wasted all week,” she announced.

“Hmm. The weather is nice,” said Randy.

“Um, is it usually nice this time of year? I can’t remember.”