”“That’s my plan. I guess that there’s a good chance I won’t see you again. I heard you bought a house in Chicago and I see you have a new g...rlfriend, so you won’t come home much.”“Home for me is in Chicago now,” I said. “I’ll be around from time to time over the next couple of years until my sister graduates. And I do have a few friends in the area. But I agree, there’s a decent chance we won’t see each other.”“Thanks for everything you did for me. I’m just sad that I messed things up. Ruth. Hey, I kept the secret about the scratch ticket that still resided in the box at the bank. Again, I wouldn't have to collect on this until next year if I didn't want to. I dumped my coffee and pulled a Genesee from the refrigerator.It was midmorning before Jane and the kids arrived. I was into my third beer by this time. Jane looked askance at me. "What's up with you? You never drink in the morning." Celebrating that's all. Has anyone had breakfast? I think I'm up for cheese omelets." Sit Jack.. So why are you in a wheelchair? Did he hit you as he pulled away?”I looked at Steve “Didn’t you tell him?”“Nope,” he replied. “Haven’t had a chance. I only saw him briefly this morning and we were talking about other things.”“Tell me what?” asked Dan.“Well after you called in,” I explained. “A paramedic crew and 2 other units arrived. I’d just managed to get the bleeding slowed, but I had to cut off your clothes to get to the wound, and I used my t-shirt as a pack. I guess when they rolled up. He's home in Margaret River. Mary's fine. The river's a bit low." I haven't tracked the rain down there." I'm going to work tomorrow. Martha will be here with Patrick. I'll go in early, but I'm not sure how long I'll be there. I've not talked to anyone at Royal Perth since I was on the telly. I thought someone might call, but no one did." Fear?" Of what?" Unknown consequences. They're most likely a conservative bunch. Let's go see Patrick."I spent the next hour 'playing ball.' We'd sit about.