Connie threw her hands up in defeat. "At least tell Len where you're going, or Howard."
"All Len wants out of me is information about Allen, and Howard couldn't care less where I am."
"Don't be silly. They both care a lot. Do you think everything they have done has been with the single ambition of getting third-party information out of you?"
Lisa stared at Connie. It was a selfish thought, showing no appreciation for everything they had done.
"I hadn't thought of it that way. I didn't mean to be so disrespectful."
"I know. You've been in a fog since the accident. I think you still need someone here, but you're definitely getting better. Maybe a little time to yourself is a good idea."
"I don't mean to chase you out. You've been a comfort to me. I just think it's time I stopped leaning on everyone."
"I know." Connie hugged her. "And I'm glad I could be there when you needed me. Just remember, I'll always be there - whenever you need me."
Connie packed and left that evening after work, still expressing her concern and insisting that Lisa call her if she wanted to talk. Lisa thanked her for all the help and assured her that she would be fine.
That night exhaustion did what no pill could do, and she finally slept. She was awakened later by the door bell. The alarm clock beside her bed indicated 2:00 am in large orange numbers. She sat up and reached for her robe, wondering who might be visiting at this time in the morning. The doorbell rang again. "I'm coming," she grumbled as she pulled on her robe and walked down the hall. The peek hole revealed Allen standing on the porch, a cigarette hanging from his lips. For a moment she hesitated, remembering their last discussion. He rang the doorbell again and pounded on the door. She sighed and opened the door, leaving the storm door locked.
Allen stared at her form a minute. "Well, are you going to let me in?"
"No," she said.
He frowned. "Why not?"
"You're drunk."
He grunted. "I've been drinking. I'm not drunk. I just want to talk to you."
"So talk." He was drunk - maybe not staggering drunk, but drunk enough to impair his judgment. Otherwise he would have waited until a reasonable hour to visit.
"Come on, let me in. This is between you and me, not the entire neighborhood."