The chicken breast came with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. I must have been hungry because it disappeared off my plate very, very quickly. Soon, all I had in front of me was the soda that came with it.
I tossed my chicken bone back into the Styrofoam box and wiped my mouth with a paper napkin.
“Feel better?”
I smiled at her. “I’m still a little zoned-out but the food and soda helped.”
“How does your back feel?”
I stretched my shoulders and back. “A little stiff but not as bad as last time.”
“No. I couldn’t hit you as hard. Do you feel like talking or do you want to get some sleep?”
I had to think. “I can talk,” I decided.
“What was this about taking Alan’s job?”
“His wife got a good teaching job and accepted at Northwestern to get her doctorate, so he’ll be leaving for
