“That’s not true,” he said, shaking her. How could he make her understand? He wished she’d gone to New York—then their nights together would have been sealed off in the past, perfect and complete. And it could still be that way, he thought, if only she would understand, and kiss him, and go away. He loved her, he said again, but he couldn’t run off with her. He had a wife. He’d made a commitment to her. He couldn’t just leave her. Didn’t she see? But as he tried to explain these things she began to laugh, slumping forward against him, pressing her forehead to his chest. She was delirious, he thought. He glanced back at the house. He’d left the sliding door open, but everything was dark and still.

“Oh God, Henry,” she said. “That’s rich, really. A commitment. You amaze me.”

“I don’t see what’s funny about anything.”

“You’re such a devoted husband, aren’t you?”

He drew away from her. “You don’t have to be cruel.”

“Who’s being cruel?” she cried. She wasn’t laughing anymore. “You led me on and said you wanted me, and now you’re tossing me aside. Like I’m nothing. And now I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“That’s not true,” he said—quietly, hoping she would be quiet too. “You have Max. You have a home in New York.”

“I’m just a burden to Max,” she said. “You don’t understand. He doesn’t want me. Nobody wants me.”

“I want you, Alma.”

“No, you don’t. You’re casting me off.”

“I want you,” he said, and drew her to him again. “If I could lead two lives, I would. Don’t you understand? I’ve never wanted anyone so much in my life. But I can’t do it—I can’t just run away with you. I have a responsibility here.”

She leaned against him. “You only have the one life,” she said after a moment. “You shouldn’t waste it.” She was speaking softly now, into his ear, which he was thankful for. She slid her hands under his shirt, like ice on his back, but her body was warm. He loved the smell of her unwashed hair. “It could just be the two of us,” she said. “We could go anywhere.”

“We can’t. You know we can’t.”

“I don’t know that. You told me we could. It’s as easy as coming with me to the train station.”

“I wasn’t in my right mind. You know that. You know you make me crazy.”

“You make me crazy too.”