Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Bill's Story

Except, apparently, it didn't. Because Bill finally leaned forward, hugging Moose's big, furry head to his chest and stared into the flames as he spoke in a voice suddenly shifted from deep and deadened to full of remorse.

"I had too much to drink that night," he said, "like every other night. But this night instead of just me in the car? Yeah, I had to have that one more beer before I went to the rink to pick up my boy."

I knew where this was going and almost stopped him but Bill rocked a bit and hugged his dog like he was his son while the fluffy Newfoundland whined and licked his master's face.

"I fell asleep, been working a twelve hour at the plant. Took the extra because of the money, right? And thought a few beers were a great way to wind up the day. Had to go back out to get the kid anyway. Buckled him in the back, only ten years old." He didn't look away from the fire.