Much as he loved to talk, Rubio did know when to shut up and listen. But when I finally wound down, he set his leftovers aside. “It’s like some kind of drug trip. Time fractured, parallel events, recalled trauma.” His nose twitched, like he’d scented something interesting. “You’re sure you didn’t know this woman?”

“Only like I’d maybe met her sometime? But not like I knew her.”

“What did she look like?”

“Umm . . .” Already her image was fading, except for that final mask of despair. “Not tall. Slim-ish. Delicate face. Sort of . . . blond. I think.”

“Delicate? Sort of blond? You mean, like you?”

“No way.” I did not see myself as delicate. I fluffed my drying hair. “Hers was long.”

Jenn sipped her herbal. “What was she wearing?”

“You would ask. Something with stripes. The water was murky. I remember glasses.”

Rubio nodded. “Okay, so post-Hasan, pre-Abel. Once you couldn’t get lenses or surgery on the island, out came the old specs. How old was she?”

“Oldish. Maybe forty-five?”

He swayed gently on the crate like he was praying. “So, who do you think she was?”

“How should I know?”

“Don’t get riled. What if you had to guess?”

I knew this doggish mode of his. “You’re getting at something.”

He turned away to bury a rattling cough. “I could make the obvious suggestion . . .”

“Obvious?” I folded my arms across my chest. “Okay, who?”

“Are you being dumb about this on purpose?”

Jenn clucked her tongue. “Rubio . . .”

“Well, look at her!” He jabbed a finger. “Classic defensive posture.”

Jenn rose, smoothing out folds, raking back her hair. “Let’s not do this now. We’re tired and stressed, and . . .” She tugged at her ear, like, see all these people listening?

“No.” Rubio put out a blocking arm. “This is important. She needs to remember.”

“You think it’s important. I think you should leave her alone!”

He glanced up at her, surprised. “This could be a major breakthrough!”

“And maybe it could wait!”

“It’s okay.” I dragged his arm away so she wouldn’t feel trapped.

“Always raking up the past!” Jenn made waving-away motions. She’d had enough reminders for one day. “It’s gone, so what’s the point?”

“To help her know who she is.” When Rubio was sure he was right, he couldn’t imagine any other opinion.

“Let him get it said, whatever it is,” I soothed. “Or we’ll never hear the end of it.”

“But I don’t have to listen! It’s past time for bed.” She waited for me to join her retreat.

“You go on. See you tomorrow.”

Her raised eyebrow said, you’ll be sorry. But she shrugged and went on her way.

I turned back to Rubio. “How can I remember someone I didn’t know?”