CHAPTER 4
When Mel knocked on Jim's door that day in March, she knew immediately something was up with her friend. He still wore in his sweats, and grizzled silver and gold stubble crowded his cheeks.
“What's wrong?” she asked bluntly, stepping through the door and closing it behind her. She could see there would be no walk today.
“Nothing,” he replied, but something about his manner pleaded with her not to drop it.
“Bullshit,” she replied. “Don't give me that, Jim. I can see you're hurting. I'm your friend. Out with it.”
“I can't,” he said. “I've burdened you with too much of my drama. Would you believe my life was… almost boring up until this last year? I mean, a single man in his fifties with an empty nest and a well-established career doesn't generate much.”
“Your drama doesn't s
