A Long Drink

The first time I'd met Val was the day before yesterday, on my way out of the hospital. I'd been in a numb stupor for hours. There's no good way to take that kind of news. She'd asked me out for a drink. I remember thinking there was something Old Hollywood glam about her, like Veronica Lake or Lauren Bacall. I figured she was trouble, but I had nothing to lose, and she looked like my kind of trouble. Turns out I didn't know the half of it.

Daybreak was just a few hours away. I stared at the crumpled remains of my car, and beyond to the frozen lake below. I wondered if I'd ever see her again.