The leaves had begun to turn, gold and brown, and Kent found himself lingering in the saloon more and more each night. Jodi had filed for divorce, just a few weeks ago, two months after he’d returned from war. She couldn’t take the nightmares and the angry outbursts, and the fact that he wasn’t the man she married. He couldn’t blame her. He was different. Anyone who knew him prior to the war could see that.

Gus had allowed Kent to stay in the back room for the time being and even though he was grateful, he knew he couldn’t stay forever, leeching off of Gus’s hospitality. He had to figure things out. Find a place of his own. But for now, he’d just keep knocking back whatever Emily filled his cup with, wanting to drown his thoughts and failures.