The sound of a tuning guitar brought back memories. College.

Ashley was still college aged actually. She had attended for only a year before dropping out. It had been a mess. A waste of twenty grand.

Afterwards she was too embarrassed to move back home. She worked at a cafe near campus:...

Spoons clanked in a steamed room. Voices intertwined between slurping sounds and laughter. Alan's head remain shrugged, his eyes closed. It was bright. He imagined slim fingers of an east asian masseuse rubbing his eyelids.

He was alone at the table now. The three had gone to get their order from...

It had taken everything in him to get up. But he was suddenly able when Imogen Howe mentioned visiting coffee shops.

Until then he felt like death . Didn't care what the others did. Alan only wanted the time to pass. Time was the only thing that could cure a hangover...

"You threw up on my shoes. And your own," Jack said. "That's bad luck. Because if you had only thrown up on your shoes I would let you borrow mine. But I don't think there's any chance you can fit into Aaron's shoes."

They all looked down at Aaron's size 14...

Imogen Howe listened to Death Cab for Cutie while driving up highway 47.

It was an older album. Reminded her of high school.

During the day it felt more like she was in the middle of nowhere. But in the dark she could imagine and reminisce. She'd feel like she was in...

Tonight she was alone. The stillness was heavy.

Ashley was still out in Chicago. When they spoke, Imogen would be confused as to whether Ashley would be back for the new year party. Sometimes Ashley would make it sound like she was definitely coming back. Sometimes she made it sound like...

"I gotta tell you guys something." Aaron said. The two waited. He took a long drink. They were on their third beers now at this bar. The plan was never to stay long. But it was decent enough. Plus they could smoke inside.

"I don't think I'm going back." Aaron gave...

She fell asleep early. If she was being honest with herself she would've just gone to bed. The drink wasn't that good, and the show wasn't much better. Over the years she had gotten used to tiring herself out by watching things late into the night until she was too...

I hope you're doing well.

Can't say I'm doing well. But I am doing better than I have in years.

I hate your guts but I still miss you. Out here I can remember how we used to be.

Yours,
Jack

After writing that Jack crumpled it up and placed it into his pocket.

"What is...

Alan wondered if anyone else in town was thinking of calling in. He wondered if they might spill the beans that Jack was in  town . Hiding.

The windshield wipers pushed the snow that had accumulated while he sat inside off. The wiper did this twice more before Alan hit the...