04-28-2020, 12:23 AM
Jude calculated that if he had one glass of wine, and he had it very slowly, it could present the illusion of sociability whilst also not muddling his head too much. Sober, it was easy for him to seal the doors of his mind, observe any attempts at intrusion, repel anything that felt too pressing, too nosy. It was like holding his breath. He was practiced enough at it that it came automatically, as long as he was not tired or intoxicated. Hence his refusal earlier in the evening.
But he needed this ride. He needed Near to like him, at least a little, and Jude knew that Near certainly did not.
It was the first time Near had actually asked about the cellar. Jude shrugged. "I just wanted to see if the old room was still down there. And it is. I didn't really look at the bottles." Jude was just fine not going to the bar room either. His palm would be mostly healed by morning, whole in a couple of days, but remembering his parlor trick made the scab itch.
But he needed this ride. He needed Near to like him, at least a little, and Jude knew that Near certainly did not.
It was the first time Near had actually asked about the cellar. Jude shrugged. "I just wanted to see if the old room was still down there. And it is. I didn't really look at the bottles." Jude was just fine not going to the bar room either. His palm would be mostly healed by morning, whole in a couple of days, but remembering his parlor trick made the scab itch.