“There’s no deal. Denise is disappointed—that’s all. The doctor had the results for the tests. We just got back from there. She’s not pregnant, for one.”

“Oh.”

“We did a home pregnancy test. Then the doctor did another test to confirm it. It came out negative.” He filled the glass again.

“Geez.”

“She has some chronic infection—there could be complications.”

“Huh,” I said. “Oh, boy.” I got up and looked for a glass. Dave handed me one. I opened the refrigerator. “What kind of complications?”

“They said the infection comes from some kind of bacteria. If it’s serious, she can never have kids. It would make her infertile.”

“God. How did she get it?”

“She had an IUD when she was in college, and it might be from that.”

“I bet you feel terrible.”

“It’s all part of the deal. It’s not worth talking about.”

I took out the orange juice. Behind the opened orange juice they had two unopened backups of juice set to go. Unopened backup jars of everything. In the bathroom that morning, I’d seen fifteen bars of Ivory soap under the sink and a case of toilet paper standing beside the john.

Dave said, “You hungry? I’ll get Denise to make you something.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Did you eat? Were you waiting around for us to come back before you made some food?”

“No, I just got up.”

“What did you eat today?”

“I said I’m not hungry.”

“My house is your house—anything here. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Toast yourself a bagel. Or—look, there’s muffins here.” He pulled some bags out of a drawer. “And this onion-bread thing. We’ve got seven boxes of cereal. Look at all this bullshit. Do you like milk on your cereal?”

“No, I like piss. Of course I like milk.”

“Eat something. Now.”

“O.K. Stop it. Stop talking about food. Shouldn’t I do something to help?”

“Forget it. We have doctors for that. You’re our guest, Vince, and you’re my brother. You make yourself something to eat. Or ask Denise. She loves making food.” He poured another glass of water.

“All right,” I said. “Sure.”

“Good,” Dave said. “I love you, Vince.” He walked out of the kitchen with his sunglasses still on and the glass of water in his hand.