“He said it didn’t mean anything.” Kalea’s eyes are dry. “If that’s true, you have to wonder how the other woman felt. And if it didn’t mean anything, why’d he do it? Men and women have to pee, but they don’t necessarily have to have sex. You see what I mean?”

I touch the bag with the rice. It’s still warm.

“So, he had an affair with one of my friends. I haven’t talked to her, so I don’t know the details. Were they in love? Was it just sport fucking? Are they still screwing around? Is there someone else I don’t know about?”

“I really should be going.”

“Your wife, right?”

“Don’t want the rice to get cold.”

“See. That’s the difference between you and Bryce.”

Kalea pays the bill. I walk with her to the street.

“Can I ask a favour?”

“Sure.”

“Can you walk me back to my hotel? It’s not far from here.”

I can’t say no, so I don’t.

“Prague’s a safe city. It’s just that it’s dark, and I’d feel safer if I had someone to walk with.”

“Absolutely.”

“You could give Bryce lessons.”

It’s none of my business, but I ask anyway. “Why do you stay with him?”

“He loves me. In his own way,” says Kalea. “Besides, I think I’m pregnant.”

“Ah.”

“He doesn’t know it yet. I was going to pick a romantic moment to tell him.”

“As in dinner tonight?”

“Yes.” Kalea starts laughing. “As in dinner tonight. That didn’t go so well, did it?”

“Are you going to tell him when you get back?”

There’s a trio of street musicians playing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Kalea stops to listen.

“I love that song. Did you ever see West Side Story?”

“That’s Leonard Bernstein. Cohen’s Canadian.”

“Really? You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter.” Kalea takes my arm. “I still like the song.”

We walk along a well-lit street that’s alive with tourists. I wonder what the people who pass us think of this young woman and this old man. I try to straighten up as much as possible.

“Your back hurting you?” Kalea asks.

“No, I’m fine.”

“I’m really sorry for knocking you down.”

“Then we wouldn’t have met.”

Kalea slows down and stops. “This is my hotel. Thank you.”

“Good luck with Bryce.”

Kalea reaches into her jacket pocket. “Here,” she says, “give this to your wife.”

A purple tube with silver filigree.

“Perfume,” says Kalea. “Bloomingdale’s was giving away free samples.”

“Bloomingdale’s?”

“Manhattan. Bryce took me there to look at china and place settings. Do you guys have china and place settings?”

“No.”

“It’s been a wonderful evening.” Kalea kisses me on the cheek. “Your wife is a lucky woman.”