Going on vacation had taken a lot of convincing from Annie and everyone he knew, plus a huge leap of faith on Auggie's part. His last vacation hadn't turned out so well, but he had high hopes for this one. It was an all inclusive beach resort, with small cottages for everyone that included all the luxuries one could imagine. There was a spa, optional dinners in the dining room, buffets, dancing, various ocean activities including surf lessons, wave runners and scuba diving. They'd been there a couple of days and were settling in fairly well. He woke up early that morning and wandered out onto the beach with a cup of coffee. Annie would be awake soon and they could decide how to spend their day.

[These lyrics]

The apartment is cloying, heavy with memories of Parker. The bed sheets still cling to her scent and he knows he should just wash the sheets, but that seems final. He’s not ready for final. In fact, August Anderson has had his fill of final.

Work is his salvation, trite but honest. There is no trace of Parker there, his mind the only minefield he has to navigate. There are distractions , things to keep him on task, things that require all of his attention. He welcomes it, turtling into his work, headphones on, filling his ears and his mind with sound: Jazz when there isn’t anything important to hear.

He is unsurprised, unsurprised and grateful, that the only thing to break through the walls of work, sound and distraction comes with the click-clack of heels and a scent he can’t help but smile at.

“Annie Walker, has anyone ever told you that your timing is fortuitous?”