"Pak," Pete said, electing to go with his initials instead of his real name. "Are you. . .what I mean is. . .did you?"

Lily nodded again. "I guess you did the. . .ah. . ."

"Yeah, it was my last session."

"Mine, too."

"This is embarrassing," Pete said, offering up his megawatt smile.

"Yes, it is. Are you a student? Do you suppose that when we meet up at one of our reunions, we'll remember this moment?" Lily asked as she jammed her hat more firmly on her head. Like she was ever going to go to a reunion.

"Yeah. I'm studying to be a teacher. I bet we do. Well, I'm really sorry. If you're sure you're okay, I have to get going or I'll be late for work."

"I'm okay. I have to get going myself. Good luck."

Pete turned to walk away, then walked back. "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?"

Lily shrugged. "Try me."

"Did you. . .ah. . .did you go to any of the counseling sessions?"

The expression on Pak's face told her he was serious. "No. I wanted to go, but my schedule. . .no, I didn't. Did you?"

"No. I hope neither one of us regrets it."

"You sound like you regret it already. It's not too late if you feel like that." Lily wondered if what she was saying was true or not. "Hey, wait a minute. Let me ask you a question. That concrete building that runs across the back of the sperm bank and the donor clinic. . .what is it, do you know? Did you ever hear who owns this place?"

Pete shook his head. "I asked one time, and they more or less told me that it was none of my business. I walked around the block after. . .well, after, and thought it a little strange that the building doesn't have doors or windows. Is there a reason why you're asking? Some rich guy with tons of money probably owns it. Isn't that the way of the world, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer?"

"The first time I went to the clinic, I sort of got lost and wandered down the wrong hallway and you would have thought I was going to plant a bomb. An amazon of a woman shooed me away. I guess the building belongs to the bank and donor center. I'm just curious by nature. Like you said, no windows or doors. I find that strange."

"So, are you thinking something sinister is going on? That's what I thought at first. Now, I couldn't care less. I'm outta here." Pete narrowed his gaze as he waited for her to reply.

Lily laughed, but it was an uneasy sound even to her own ears. "No. Just my womanly curiosity." But she knew that it was not just "womanly curiosity" at all.

He didn't know anything about "womanly curiosity." It was Pete's turn to shrug. "See ya," he said, waving airily in her direction.