She spent the day with the stranger. They walked along the water, picked flowers, and talked about art and music. The stranger was unlike Telso in every way. He was well educated and sophisticated. He also appeared full of joy and good humor. His voice was a delight. Occasionally, when she closed her eyes to listen to him, she imagined he spoke inside her mind.

As the day drew to a close she realized she was hopelessly in love. Still, she did not know his name. He said goodbye just before the sun set but promised to return the next morning. She watched as he walked along the shore and disappeared behind a cliff.

The following week, he came every day, at dawn, and they spent many enjoyable hours together. But each night he left, and Mai Mai would feel a deep loss. Of course, she was a married woman. She knew she could not possibly make love to the stranger. But there was part of her willing to throw away her marriage—and her family honor—just to be with him. The next evening she vowed she would force him to stay with her. Her husband was not expected back for a week.

Early the next day, she saw him where they had first met, high on the rocky cliff overlooking the sea. Once more they spent the day together. Mai Mai had never felt so much love. Not only did she want to make love to the stranger, she wanted to run away with him. As the day wore on and the sun drew near the horizon, she confided in him her wish, and he saw how serious she was, and for the first time he lost his carefree manner.

“Are you sure of this, Mai Mai? If you come with me there can be no going back.”

“I am sure. I want to be with you forever.”

“But what of your husband? He is a good man.”

She shook her head. “He means nothing to me now.”

“But he loves you. He would do anything for you.”

“I don’t care. I only care about you.”

The stranger smiled then, but it was a sad smile. “Then if you wish to stay with me, you have to come down with me to the water. We must swim out away from the shore.”

She was confused. “But why?”

“You will see.”

The stranger led her to the sand and told her to remove all her clothes. Shy but excited, she stripped down alongside the stranger. His body was so perfect; she did not mind that he insisted they jump into the cold water. Later, she thought, she would warm him beside a roaring fire. The sun touched the horizon as he took her hand and led her into the sea.

They swam out a long way from shore. Eventually Mai Mai began to tire, and she told the stranger she wanted to go back. She was surprised when he shook his head. Night had come, it was dark, and the cold had sunk deep into her flesh.