George waited patiently.

At last Maria said: “An abortion.”

“You poor thing.” He grabbed a towel from the kitchenette, folded it, and placed it on the bloodstain. “Sit on this, for now,” he said. “Rest.” He looked at the shelf over the refrigerator and saw a packet of jasmine tea. Figuring that must be what she liked, he put water on to heat. He said no more until he had made the tea.

Abortion law varied from state to state. George knew that in DC it was legal for the purpose of protecting the health of the mother. Many doctors interpreted this liberally, to include the woman’s health and general well-being. In practice, anyone who had the money could find a doctor willing to perform an abortion.

Although she had said she did not want tea, she took a cup.

He sat opposite her with a cup for himself. “Your secret lover,” he said. “I guess he’s the father.”

She nodded. “Thank you for the tea. I presume World War Three hasn’t started yet, otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”

“The Soviets turned their ships back, so the danger of a showdown at sea has receded. But the Cubans still have nukes, aimed at us.”

Maria seemed too depressed to care.

George said: “He wouldn’t marry you.”

“No.”

“Because he’s already married?”

She did not answer.

“So he found you a doctor and paid the bill.”

She nodded.

George thought that was a despicable way to behave, but if he said so she would probably throw him out for insulting the man she loved. Trying to control his anger, George said: “Where is he now?”

“He’ll call.” She glanced at the clock. “Soon, probably.”

George decided not to ask any more questions. It would be unkind to interrogate her. And she did not need to be told how foolish she had been. What did she need? He decided to ask. “Is there anything you need? Anything I can do for you?”

She started to cry. Between sobs she said: “I hardly know you! How come you’re my only real friend in the whole city?”

He knew the answer to that question. She had a secret that she would not share. That made it difficult for others to be close to her.

She said: “Lucky for me you’re so kind.”

Her gratitude embarrassed him. “Does it hurt?” he said.

“Yes, it hurts like hell.”

“Should I call a doctor?”

“It’s not that bad. They told me to expect this.”

“Do you have any aspirin?”

“No.”

“Why don’t I step out and get you some?”

“Would you? I hate to ask a man to run errands.”

“It’s okay, this is an emergency.”

“There’s a drugstore right on the corner of the block.”

George put down his cup and shrugged on his coat.

Maria said: “Could I ask you an even bigger favor?”

“Sure.”

“I need sanitary napkins. Do you think you could buy a box?”

He hesitated. A man, buying sanitary napkins?

She said: “No, it’s too much to ask, forget it.”