45
The following day dragged on and on, enhanced by the torrent of liquid bestowed upon the earth by the gods. As much as I wanted everything to be over, the closer it got to the end, the edgier I grew. By five in the evening, both Sean and I—and Daniel, our reinforcement—paced the floor, climbed the walls, or squinted through the window. Once impatience got the better of me, I headed into the kitchen to rustle up a chilli for dinner. The action calmed me a little, as though my subconscious believed the pack would be home the second their meal was prepared, like I could spur my desired events to take place.
Sean and Daniel remained in the living room, their feet swishing across the carpet in their continued pacing.
At ten minutes to six, the low rumble of the pickup’s engine carried thr
