Page 22 of Don't Go

---

"What?"

"You said baby. On the phone."

"Mr. Cross — "

"You. Said. Baby."

"Mr. Cross, drink some water."

"Is that—Sabrina, is that your boyfriend?"

I laughed.

It came up out of me before I could decide to let it. He blinked at me with his squinty drunk eyes, mouth slightly open, waiting on the answer to the question of whoBabywas.

"Boyfriend?" I said. "What are you talking about?"

"You said baby…on the phone. I heard you."

"Mr. Cross?—"

"What's his name?"

"Whose name?"

"Boyfriend."

"Mr. Cross."

"What does he do?"

I shook my head and didn't answer. He was very drunk, and answering was just going to give him a launching pad.

He didn't stop.

"Where does he…live?"

I poured him a glass of water and set it in front of him. He stared at it like he was trying to remember what water was for. He picked it up. He drank some. He set it back down.

"What's…his…name?"

I went back to Kit. "He can't drive."

Kit crossed his arms. "Obviously."

"We need to get him a car."

"Where does he live?"

"I don't know."

"Ask him."

I went back to Beau. I leaned on the bar in front of him. I tried to make eye contact. His eyes weren't really doing focusing as a service.

"Mr. Cross, where do you live?"

"What?"

---