Irene wrapped an arm around his leg and closed her eyes. “I’m not leaving you alone like this.”

The next morning, she drove back to Burbank to pick up some clothes and a toothbrush. Sandy greeted her at the door, making loud, accusing miaows. The housekeeper said that Mr. Morrow had been calling for her. He had reached New York last night and was staying at the Peninsula. Irene packed fresh clothes and a toothbrush into her kit bag and rang up the Peninsula. She asked for George Morrow’s room and they connected her right away.

“Where in God’s name have you been?” he asked.

“I’ve been at Sam’s house. He left the hospital and needs someone to look after him.”

The silence at the other end lasted so long, Irene thought they had been disconnected, except that the static still crackled in the background. Finally she asked if he was still there.

“I’m here,” George said. “Can’t he hire a nurse?”

“I’ve got nothing else to do. The mechanics are working on the airplane.”

The next silence didn’t last quite as long. Before Irene could break in a second time, he said, “All right. If that’s what you want. Just remember you’ve got the first lecture in Sacramento in ten days. And for God’s sake, don’t let some photographer catch you.”

When she returned to the cottage, she told Sam that she’d spoken to George.

“So what did he say?”

“He said to make sure I didn’t forget about the lecture tour. And not to answer the door to any photographers.”

“Jesus,” said Sam.

“Anyway, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“What’s that?”

Irene reached back into the car and drew out a fluffy, bemused calico cat from the passenger seat.

Sam still had his old surfboard, and Irene liked to take it out in the morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise, while Sam watched anxiously from the terrace. He was worried because of her arm, but he didn’t say so. She would climb back up the path, carrying the heavy board on her shoulder, grinning and wet and shivering, and she would put the board away and straddle his lap and kiss him. He liked to taste the salt water on her skin, to nuzzle her dripping hair. He told her to be careful not to get his cast all wet, and she said she would be very careful.

But they never were.