Myron arrived at Ali's at seven P. M. The Wilders lived in Kasselton, a town about fifteen minutes north of Livingston. Myron had gone through a strange ritual before leaving his house. Cologne or no cologne? That one was easy: no cologne. Tighty-whities or boxers? He chose something between the two, that hybrid that was either tight boxers or long tighties. Boxer briefs, the package said. And he chose them in gray. He wore a Banana Republic tan pullover with a black T-shirt underneath. The jeans were from the Gap. Slip-on loafers from the Tod's outlet store adorned his size-fourteen feet. He couldn't be more American Casual if he tried . A li opened the door. The lights behind her were low. She wore a black dress with a scooped front. Her hair was pinned back. Myron liked that. Most men, they liked it when the hair came down. Myron had always been a fan of keeping it off the face . He stared at her for another moment and then said, Whoa . I thought you said you were smooth . I 'm holding back . But why?If I go all out in the smooth department, Myron said, women all over the tri-state area begin to disrobe. I need to harness the power . Lucky for me then. Come on in . He had never made it past her foyer before. Ali walked to the kitchen. His stomach knotted. There were family photographs on the wall. Myron did a quick scan. He spotted Kevin's face. He was in at least four different photographs. Myron didn't want to stare, but his gaze got caught on an image of Erin. She was fishing with her dad. Her smile was heartbreaking. Myron tried to picture the girl in his bas e ment smiling like that, but it wouldn't hold . He looked back at Ali. Something crossed her face . Myron sniffed the air. What are you cooking?I'm making Chicken Kiev . Smells great . You mind if we talk first?Sure . They headed into the den. Myron tried to keep his head about him. He looked around for more pictures. There was a framed wedding photo. Ali's hair was too big, he thought, but maybe that was the look then. He thought that she was prettier now. That happens with some women. There was also a photograph of five men in matching black tuxedos with bow ties. The groomsmen, Myron figured. Ali followed his gaze. She walked over and picked up the group shot . This one is Kevin's brother, she said, pointing to the man second on the right . Myron nodded . The other men worked at Carson Wilkie with Kevin. They were his best friends . Myron said, Were they All dead, she said. All married, all had children . The elephant in the room it was as if all hands and fingers were suddenly pointing at it . You don't have to do this, Myron said .