he trailer I shared with three other roughnecks was just as I' d left it-cramped, stuffy, smell

othes, a worn copy of Chopin' s Nocturnes, and a small, framed photo of my paren

flew open. It was Gabby.

. "You' re just going to leave? Again? You' re abandoning

around. I jus

abby. And I never lef

at her, my expr

ver, Ms.

eyes widened, the color draining from her

desperate hunger. She rushed toward me, gra

e trembling. "Good. Then you know yo

It wasn't an act of passion; it was an act of owners

isgusted. "I don' t

a cruel smile playing on his lips. He pulled Gabby awa

ey said, his voice smooth as

tching the scene with leering eyes. He gave a subtle, almost i

expression a mixture of hatred and something else, something I couldn' t d

like the boss wants us to teach you