Just before Christmas Leo sells the business to Stevie Warsame, who is upset he has to learn bookkeeping for an entire company. Leo leaves me rambling messages begging me to visit on Christmas Eve. He says I can stay for New Year’s Eve also. I can stay as long as I like.

I delete the messages. He just wants my dog. I think she wants him, too, the whore. But she is content to go with me on my long walks, the drive-bys of Brazuca’s place.

Two days before Christmas I pick up the phone and a man whose voice I used to know says, “Hey there, Trouble.” As far as nicknames go, it’s a little on the nose. But this man in particular has good reason to know just how much trouble I am.

“Hi, Nate,” I reply, surprised at how clear my voice sounds.

The next day I put all my belongings into the Corolla, including Whisper, of course. We stop in front of Lorelei’s house. It’s the same as always, an East Van bungalow. There’s a wreath on the door, the single holiday decoration.

“Should I go in?” I ask Whisper. She ignores me, riveted by the action across the road where some poor soul is stringing up lights on Christmas Eve and his chocolate lab pup is standing by the ladder for helpful encouragement.

I take one long, final look at my sister’s house.

The lights are on, and there’s movement inside. She’s entertaining. At another time I would have been perverse enough to knock on the door and guilt her into letting me in. But I don’t see the point of that anymore. I put the car in drive before I can second guess myself. Then head to Leo’s apartment building. There’s an open space in front just waiting for me. Something has finally gone right. I couldn’t bear having to park around back, seeing the place where Brazuca’s MINI got hit. Reliving the memory of Brazuca.

Leo comes down and opens the back door of the car. Whisper gets up, wags her tail, and licks the side of his face. He breaks out into a grin. “Come on,” he says to her.

She stays in the car.

“Come on, girl. Uncle Leo bought you some new food. I hear it’s delish.”

Whisper isn’t having any of it.

“Go ahead,” I say to her.

She ignores me and plants her butt.

“She’s not coming,” Leo says.

I don’t understand her hesitation. She’d left with him so easily before. “Go on, girl.” I give her a little push. She growls at me. Actually growls.