“No, Lee. That’s not what they say at all. That’s what you said eight years ago.”

“Hey, baby, that’s all water under the bridge. Come on, what would a drink hurt?”

Erin sighed audibly. “Look, Lee, I’m not in the mood. Not tonight—not ever. I thought I made that clear to you a couple of weeks ago.”

There was a pause in the conversation and Erin could almost hear the wheels turning in Lee’s mind.

“Just what is it that you want from me?” she asked.

“I told you—we could have a few laughs.”

“Why not just turn on the television and catch reruns of Gilligan’s Island,” she suggested and immediately regretted the sarcasm in her words. Nervously she began tapping her fingernails on the tabletop.

“I have to see you,” he pleaded.

“Why? It didn’t matter eight years ago. Why the sudden interest?” Erin’s voice had begun to shake. Memories began to wash over her.

“You really want to do this the hard way, don’t you?” Lee accused.

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” Erin sputtered, but an uneasy feeling was growing in the pit of her stomach. This wasn’t just a friendly call. He wanted money from her—again. Suddenly Erin felt a deep pang of pity for the man who was once her husband.

“Look, honey,” Lee cajoled with only a trace of uncertainty in his voice. “You know I lost the job in Spokane, and well, since I’ve been back here, my luck hasn’t been all that great. I thought that…you could loan me a few bucks, just until I get back on my feet.”

Erin swallowed hard before answering. “You haven’t paid me back from the last time that I helped you ‘get back on your feet.”’ Erin’s voice was flat. She hoped she sounded unshakable.

“Things just didn’t turn out in Spokane. You know how it is, what with the lousy economy and all. It’s just hard to get started.”

“Oh, Lee,” Erin sighed, and felt herself wavering.

He sensed the change in her voice. “I just need a few hundred to get started…”

“Spare me the sad story, Lee,” Erin interrupted. “I can’t loan you any money right now. I just don’t have it.”

“Don’t have it—or won’t lend it?” Lee asked desperately.

“I’m sorry, Lee.”

“I doubt it!”

“I don’t think that you and I have anything more to discuss. You were the one who made that decision several years ago. Good night.”

Erin hung up and noticed that her hands were trembling. Why did he always affect her this way? It was as if she was reliving those last few months before the divorce had become final all over again. Why didn’t Lee just disappear from her life completely? Was it her fault? Did he notice her hesitation and somehow construe it as an invitation? While they were married, he had wanted his freedom so desperately. And yet, since the divorce had become final, he kept showing up, trying to rekindle the dead flames. When he finally moved to Spokane, Erin had breathed a sigh of relief. She thought that finally he would make a life away from her.