• • •

The shower had revived Jack. Since Laurie had not included any injunction about riding his bike this time, Jack decided to ride. He cruised south at a good clip. Given the bad experiences he’d had in the park the previous year, he stayed on Central Park West all the way to Columbus Circle.

From Columbus Circle, Jack shot across Fifty-ninth Street to Park Avenue. At that time of the evening, Park Avenue was a dream, and he took it all the way to Laurie’s street. He secured his bike with his collection of locks and went to Laurie’s door. Before ringing her bell, he took a moment to compose himself, determining how best to act and what to say.

Laurie met him at the door, with a wide grin on her face. Before he could even say a word, she threw her free arm around his neck to give him a hug. In her other hand, she was balancing a glass of wine.

“Uh-oh,” she said, stepping back. She eyed the wild state of his close-cropped hair. “I forgot about the bike issue. Don’t tell me you rode down here.”

Jack shrugged guiltily.

“Well, at least you made it,” Laurie said. She unzipped his leather jacket and peeled it off his back.

Jack could see Lou sitting on the sofa, with a grin that rivaled the Cheshire cat’s.

Laurie took Jack’s arm and pulled him into the living room. “Do you want the surprise first or do you want to eat first?” she asked.

“Let’s have the surprise,” Jack said.

“Good,” Lou said. He bounded off the couch and went to the TV.

Laurie guided Jack to the spot Lou had just vacated. “Do you want a glass of wine?”

Jack nodded. He was confused. He hadn’t seen any ring, and Lou was intently studying the VCR remote. Laurie disappeared into the kitchen but was soon back with Jack’s wine.

“I don’t know how to do this,” Lou complained. “At home, my daughter runs the VCR.”

Laurie took the remote, then told Lou that he had to turn on the TV first.

Jack took a sip of the wine. It wasn’t much better than what he’d brought the previous night.

Laurie and Lou joined Jack on the couch. Jack looked from one to the other, but they were ignoring him. They were intently watching the TV screen.

“What’s this surprise?” Jack asked.

“Just watch,” Laurie said, pointing toward the electronic snow on the TV.

More confused than ever, Jack looked at the screen. All of a sudden, there was music and the CNN logo followed by the image of a moderately obese man coming out of a Manhattan restaurant Jack recognized as Positano. The man was surrounded by a group of people.

“Should I put on the sound?” Laurie asked.

“Nah, it’s not necessary,” Lou said.

Jack watched the sequence. When it was over he looked at Laurie and Lou. Both had huge smiles.

“What is going on here?” Jack questioned. “How much wine have you two been drinking?”