He gained altitude but kept his speed low. It was not completely dark and the night was his shield. He wished he could circle and stall for time but feared other planes in the area might notice. Low-lying clouds crept in from the west. He could barely see Los Angeles off to his right. Nevertheless, he was familiar with the route and confident in his instruments. He did not have to see the coast to keep on course. Yet he could not jump out of the plane unless he could see the boat. He prayed everything went smoothly and yet he hoped he failed. The truth was, he was a mess. He felt so lonely he wanted to cry.

Like that night, he would never forget that night.

When he saw them kissing on that side street in Westwood, he thought he was mistaken. He drove around the block and parked. He told himself it was not Amy. Yet the girl had looked like Amy and was dressed like Amy. Still, he almost stayed where he was. But of course that wasn’t true. He got out and ran around the corner.

They were still kissing.

So cold, his guts right then.

He walked up and they parted and looked over. Amy quickly lowered her head while David regarded him quizzically. Matt did not know what to say. But he knew he had finally met the infamous David. The guy was plump, light haired, and well dressed. He looked like a used car salesman. Matt smelled alcohol on both of them.

“Who are you?” David asked. His voice was soft and fruity.

“I’m her boyfriend. Who are you?”

The guy smiled. “I’m her other boyfriend. Who are you, really?”

“I’m her boyfriend.” Matt glanced at his girlfriend. “Isn’t that right, Amy?”

She would not look at them. David did a double take. “Are you serious?” he asked.

“Yes. I’m Matt Connor.” He turned to Amy. “Tell him who I am.”

She turned and ran. She could move when she wanted. He chased after her and it took him half a block to catch her. She shook him off roughly.

“Leave me alone!” she cried.

“Leave you alone? Amy, stop, we have to talk. What is going on here? You have to talk to me!”

She stopped. David walked toward them slowly, still over a hundred yards away. Amy stared at the ground.

“That’s David,” she whispered.

“What’s he doing here? When did he get here?”

She looked like death. “It’s sort of a recent development.”

“What are you doing with him? Why were you kissing him?”

She shook her head. “It’s not like it looks.”

“Have you been sleeping with him?”

She would not raise her head. She would not answer.

Matt glared down the block at David. The guy moved like a zombie.

“Answer me!” he yelled at her.