White grabbed his hands, squeezed until they both winced. Ed said, "Thanks for the push."
A smile, a laugh--Bud forced them through wires. Ed touched his face. "You were my redemption."
Party noise upstairs--Dudley Smith laughing. Lynn said, "We should go now."
"Was I ever in the running?"
"Some men get the world, some men get ex-hookers and a trip to Arizona. You're in with the former, but my God I don't envy you the blood on your conscience."
Ed kissed her cheek. Lynn got in the car, rolled up the windows. Bud pressed his hands to the glass.
Ed touched his side, palms half the man's size. The car moved--Ed ran with it, hands against hands. A turn into traffic, a goodbye toot on the horn.
Gold stars. Alone with his dead.