Whatever, they made her feel pampered, as though she was in a fairy tale, dressed by tiny birds.

She looked around the apartment—how pretty it was, perfectly decorated. No muddy boots anywhere. Unlike at home, no magazines or newspapers were lying about. No buckets full of anything.

Closing her eyes, she thought of the time she’d spent there.

On Friday, while Kelly called her mother, Adam bought a newspaper and checked the movie listings. They found The Godfather still playing in an obscure theater in downtown Kansas City. It was a dirty place, with a sticky floor, and the back rows were packed with teenagers making out. The popcorn was drenched in a greasy substance that had no relation to butter, and the Cokes were half water.

But the movie made up for the unpleasant surroundings. She and Adam watched intently. When the man found the horse’s head in his bed, Kelly nearly threw up.

“It’s not real,” Adam whispered as he squeezed her hand. “Not real!” She wasn’t sure he was right but she wanted to believe him.

When the movie was over, they sat for a while, letting it digest in their minds. In the car, they talked over every scene of murder, betrayal and the struggle for power.

When they got back to the apartment, it felt like home. Adam insisted that she take the master bedroom. “So you can be near the closet.” He was teasing, but she didn’t mind.

The next morning they both got up early and planned their day. Kelly said no to looking for a building for her clinic. “It doesn’t make sense to drive all the way to Ottawa, then back again. I never get to see the Plaza.”

“I could use some new shirts,” he said. “And do you own anything that hasn’t been peed on?”

“Of course I do. I have—” She stopped and thought. “Actually, no. But don’t get out your checkbook. I’m not a charity case.”

“Never thought you were.”

They went out for breakfast, as there were no groceries in the apartment, then strolled around, pointing out the beautiful cupolas, fountains and statues on the Plaza. At ten, they went to a men’s store and Kelly chose half a dozen shirts for Adam. He was more interested in where they’d have lunch.

They went to two other stores and bought Kelly three shirts and some new jeans. Laughing, with full shopping bags, they stopped for Kansas barbecue.

It was a short walk back to the apartment and they dropped the bags in the living room. Adam found a Frisbee in a closet, so they walked to the beautiful Loose Park and tossed it back and forth.

Adam hadn’t remembered how animals were attracted to Kelly. Every dog not on a leash ran to her. The ones that were restrained pulled in her direction. Squirrels ran out on branches to look down at her.