When something is dropped and broken, the pieces have to be picked up. The mess has to be cleaned up.
They were through with me on Tuesday. Captain Marion walked down the steps of the courthouse with me. We stood on the sidewalk in the sunshine.
"You're through here, Howard. We're through with you. There are some charges we could have made stick. But we didn't. You can be damn glad. We don't want you here. We don't want to see you back here."
"I'm not leaving."
He stared at me. His eyes were cold. "I don't think that's very bright."
"I'm going to stay."
"I think I know what's on your mind. But it won't work. You've spent all the time you could with her. It hasn't worked, has it? It won't work for you. Not with her."
"I want to stay and try. I've made my peace with her father. He understands. I can't say he approves. But he understands enough so he isn't trying to drive me off."
"You're beating your head against a wall."
"Maybe."