The cigarette smoke and the fact that Samantha hadn’t eaten since she left the Little Nell made her almost speedy. She wanted to think logically and all she could come up with was that she deserved someone to make everything all right. And if she deserved it simply because she had always had it, then that was all right, too.

Samantha began to feel the sidewalk swaying from side to side when she felt an arm around her.

“Miss, do you have another cigarette?” the voice asked her.

“Charlie!” She threw her arms around his. “Charlie, I’m so scared!”

“Shhhh, honey, shhhh.”

“Charlie.” She wouldn’t let go of him.

“It’s all right. I promise.” For the first time since she left he felt like himself again.

“Do you really want one of these?” She offered him a cigarette.

“If it’ll make you feel better, I do.” He smiled at her.

Samantha was relieved that any doubts about his coming back were unfounded.

“I’m so hungry, Charlie, I haven’t eaten all day.” She took his hand.

“Do you want to go in here?” He pointed toward the hotel.

“It’s too complicated. Let’s go to Swifty’s and get chicken pot pie with creamed spinach and peas.”

“Yes. Comfort food.” Charlie nodded. “Nothing better.”

“Our comfort food,” Samantha whispered.

Charlie and Samantha walked down Park Avenue to East Seventy-third Street. The Christmas trees on Park Avenue were twinkling and the sky was clear with a perfect crescent moon. As they waited for the light on Park Avenue to change, Charlie looked at Samantha.

“I look awful. I’m so sorry.” She put her hand over her face.

He pulled her hand away. “I was just thinking how ironic it is that this is a perfect New York night, and you’ve never looked more beautiful.”

“Charlie, I’m a spoiled, selfish coward.”

“Darling. We’re all spoiled, selfish cowards.” He kissed her again. “The more the merrier.”

“Charlie Acton, you used to be so sweet. You’ve become a cynic.”

“I’m an intelligent man, darling.”

“I’m cold.” She pushed her body toward him.

“Put your hand in my glove and let’s go.”

Samantha slipped her hand inside his glove and felt his warm fingers wrap around hers. The realization that she had created Charlie and therefore possessed him made her feel suddenly powerful.

When Samantha and Charlie walked into Swifty’s the headwaiter rushed over to see them as if one of the Romanovs had just returned from exile.

“It’s so nice to see you two here together again.” The headwaiter kissed Samantha and hugged Charlie. “At least there’s some real style left in New York.”

“We’re glad to be here.” Charlie beamed.

“Let me take you to a nice table in the back. Follow me.”

They followed him through a half-empty restaurant.