Tim's phone rang waking him out of sound sleep. It's 2 am. Taking a moment to realize where he was, he answers the phone in a raspy voice "hello?"

Silence on the other end. Again he answers hello, still with no answer. He looks at the caller ID, it's Chance. Tim immediately sits up, "Chance, what's wrong? Are you ok? Talk to me", as he panics from the no response.

Chance tries to speak, but nothing seems to come out. He tried again, finally giving up he hangs up the phone.

"What the hell is going on" Tim says aloud as he attempts to dial back. At the same time he receives a text message from him "can you come get me, please."

"Absolutely, where are you?" Tim texted back wondering why he wasn't talking to him.

"At the truck stop in Mankato. I flew into Rochester then hitched a ride to here, this was as far as the trucker was going" he texted back.

'None of this is making sense' Tim thinks to himself as he texted back, "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Thanks, I'll be waiting in the diner area" he texted back.

Tim grabbed his jacket and keys, ran his fingers through his hair and quietly left Adam's making sure not to wake anyone as he left. He sped down the highway, still in somewhat of a panic as he drove the 25 miles to the truck stop. 

...

Chance was adamant about getting back to work as soon as possible, back to Minnesota tonight. Despite the pleas from his mother and Heather he had packed his bags, booked a quick flight, said his goodbyes and was on his way. The sooner he could get back the sooner he could get back to normal. As he sat on the plane he thought about everything that had taken place the past two weeks. 'So much for resting and relaxing' he thought to himself as he asked the stewardess for a shot of whiskey, then another and then another, trying to numb himself again. Once he landed in Rochester he realized he'd had a bit too much to drink and would not be able to rent a car. He didn't want to deal with a taxi service, knowing he was bound to be recognized, so decided to start walking to Mankato. "Why did I think this was a good idea" he said to himself aloud as he felt the colder air and wind just as a semi truck pulled up along side him. The trucker asked him where he was headed and if he needed a ride. He thought, 'why not, never done this before, might as well.' He accepted the ride, tossed his bag in the cab and headed out with the trucker. They introduced themselves, giving his name as Adam instead of Chance. If the trucker recognized him he certainly didn't give any hint. They made small talk throughout the ride till they arrived at the truck stop in Mankato, where the trucker explained he had to stop for the night or he would be over his driving hours limit. Chance told him he totally understood and assured him he could get a ride the rest of the way.

Once inside, Chance sat down in the diner and ordered coffee. He didn't want to think, which was why he rode with the trucker. He needed to talk to Tim. He wished he had never sent him ahead. Why couldn't he just accept the fact he needed his help, support, friendship. Hoping he hadn't pushed him totally away, he decided to call to see if Tim would pick him up and take him to the apartment they shared while in Minnesota. 

As the phone rang, Chance noticed the time and knew it was late, just as he was about to hang up he heard the raspy voice on the other end. He couldn't say anything, his voice fell silent, he didn't even really know what to say, he hung up the phone. He thought for a moment before texting Tim asking for a ride, he would explain, as best he could when he arrived.