The People We Keep

April is playing a gig at a bar when she notices a man giving her a lot of attention. His eyes follow her through the entire set, and he invites her to drinks at the bar across the street afterward. April, who has spent her time since leaving Ithaca on the road, often seeks out a place to stay after her gigs. However, she usually tries to find a man who won’t expect sex from her. She recognizes that Ray is not like those men, but feeling the need for a normal date, April agrees. The date goes well and Ray invites April back to his house.

April follows Ray into his house with her guitar and purse, two things she never leaves behind. She plays one of his guitars and becomes anxious when Ray pulls out a bag of cocaine. After seeing him snort multiple lines, April tries to turn in. However, Ray insists that they need to have sex and grabs April’s wrist, hurting her. April knees Ray in the groin and escapes with her belongings to her car. He chases her, and as she drives away, she runs over his foot, breaking it with a crunch she will never forget.