Will walked slowly through the hospital corridors. Tina had fallen asleep, and Doctor Henriquez had advised him to go home and get some rest. He wasn’t sure who to call for a ride. The doctor told him not to drive for a few days, and Hale had left him a voice mail telling him he was off the Stevens case and that he had at least a week of paid leave to recover from the explosion. Tina was his only close friend on the force, and she was in much worse shape. He walked out of the doors into the night air. A light breeze blew past him, and he stood outside, holding his phone, unsure of what to do. His mind was still fuzzy from the explosion, and his few coherent thoughts were still with Tina. His cell phone rang loudly and suddenly. Without even looking at the number, he lifted the phone to his hear and flipped it open. “Hetfield?” he said, unsure if he should be answering and unsure of himself.
“Will?”
“Clayton?”
“Where are you?”
“I just walked out of the hospital.”
“Don’t go far, I’m almost there. I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay. I could use a ride.”
“I could use a road trip friend. Have you ever been to Aberdeen?”
“Once or twice?” Will was again unsure of both how much he’d been to Aberdeen, and of how much he wanted to go.
“I’ll be there in a few minutes, and I’ll fill you in.”
***
Bob’s face contorted in pain and fear. He was desperate to draw a breath, but no air was reaching his lungs. He was making a horrible sound with what air he could move around his throat. Phil lunged up and grabbed his arm. Bob thought about fighting for a moment, but let Phil pull him out of the booth. Phil wrapped his arms around Bob’s torso and his hands clenched just below Bob’s sternum. He pulled up and back hard on Bob’s chest, and Bob felt his fee leave the ground. “C’mon, don’t you choke to death on me now.” Phil tugged again, but Bob was still choking. Everyone around the restaurant was starting to turn towards Phil and his efforts. “Dammit Bob, dammit dammit dammit!” Phil gave one big heave and Bob felt his feet lift off the floor once more. He felt the chewed up burger dislodge from his esophagus and launch onto the table. Bob drew a long breath. He saw pops of light dancing about wherever he looked. His legs were like jelly and his heart was racing, partly because of almost choking and partly because everyone in the Millstone was now looking at them. Phil was doing his best to hold him up, but Bob wasn’t helping at all.
“Phil?”
Bob heard her voice, and closed his eyes. For the faintest of moments, Bob gave death a second thought. He could hope his luck would save him from the explaining that would test their friendship, but that seemed like a false hope. He wasn’t going to ask for a sign for guidance, but he soon had one anyway.
“Michelle?” Phil said, dropping his jaw and Bob at the same time.
