“Are you trying to convert me?”

“No, it’s just that I know, absolutely, that God exists.”

“No one knows anything absolutely. I’m not without faith. I have my own beliefs, but I have my doubts, too.”

“So did I.”

“Did? What happened, did the Holy Spirit come to you in the night and say, ‘Go forth and sell insurance’?”

“Something like that.” Travis forced a smile.

“Travis, you are a very strange man.”

“I really didn’t want to talk about religion.”

“Good. I’ll tell you my beliefs in the morning. You’ll be quite shocked, I’m sure.”

“I doubt that, I really do…Did you say ‘in the morning’?”

Jenny held her hand out to him. Inside she was unsure of what she was doing, but it seemed fine—at least it didn’t feel wrong.

“Did I miss something?” Travis asked. “I thought you were angry with me.”

“No, why would I be angry at you?”

“Because of my faith.”

“I think it’s cute.”

“Cute? Cute! You think the Roman Catholic Church is cute? A hundred popes are rolling in their graves, Jenny.”

“Good. They aren’t invited. Move over here.”

“Are you sure?” he said. “You’ve had a lot of wine.”

She was not sure at all, nevertheless she nodded to him. She was single, right? She liked him, right? Well, hell, it was started now.

He slid down the couch to her side and took her in his arms. They kissed, awkwardly at first; he was too aware of himself and she was still wondering if she should have invited him in in the first place. He held her tighter and she arched her back and pushed against him and they both forgot their reservations. The world outside ceased to exist. When they finally broke the kiss, he buried his face in her hair and held her tight so she could not pull away and see the tears in his eyes.

“Jenny,” he said softly, “it’s been a long time…”

She shushed him and dug her hands into his hair. “Everything will be fine. Just fine.”

Perhaps it was because they were both afraid, or perhaps it was because they really didn’t know each other; it might even have been that by playing a role they would not have to face anything but the moment. The roles they played throughout the night changed. First, each gave when the other needed, and later, when need was no longer an issue, they played their roles out to felicity. It progressed thusly: she was the comforter, he the comforted; then he was the understanding counselor, she the confused confessor; she became the nurse, he the patient in traction; he took the role of the naive stable boy, she the seductive duchess; he was the drill sergeant, she the raw recruit; she was the cruel master, he the helpless slave girl.