Page 141 of Old Habits

She gives a soft shrug. “The offer still stands.”

“Thanks,” I say. “Look, I know it’s kind of town policy to air my dirty laundry for all to see but I would really appreciate it if you didn’t tell anybody about this.”

“Of course.”

“And please…” I pause. “Please don’t tell Will I’m here. I shut the car in the garage for a reason.”

She nods. “He won’t talk to me right now anyway. My calls go to voicemail, he ignores my texts. Talking to you was the last resort I had to get my brother back.”

I shake my head. “Probably going to take a lot more than a casual chat with me to do that, Sara.”

“I know.” She bites her inner cheek. “Jovie, I am truly sorry that you never got to meet your baby… but who knows how it works, you know? Maybe you will someday.”

I look at her, sensing real compassion from her for the first time. “Yeah. Maybe someday.”

She fidgets for a few seconds before standing up from her chair. “Anyway, I have a lab that I’m late for, so…”

“Sara.” She stops and turns back. “If you ever need to talk to someone whose been there…”

I let the rest of it fade off but she nods, understanding.

“I will,” she says. “Thanks.”

I sit still, glancing at her dark pink scrubs as she reaches for her purse. “Hey…”

She pauses. “What?”

I debate the question for a second before giving in. “Where do you go to school?”