“Did you panic?”

“No. At least, I thought I had my wits about me. I didn’t shoot until I saw that the man in the door was going to shoot me. It happened so quickly that he did get the first shot. Then I shot to kill. I could have aimed low, but I was afraid for myself. He would have killed me. The other one, too. I had to stop them both. I would have to do it again exactly the same way.” He stopped. “Well, what do you think of me?”

“The same things I thought before. This is a side of you I saw a long time ago. I know that you’re thinking of it for the first time. It keeps you away from me.”

“And?”

“I’m unhappy. You aren’t the same anymore. I’m not crying. I’m waiting for you to learn to live with it.”

“I’m still wondering how Krolevich threw his life away. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

At home she had things to do. He turned on the radio. It would be a week before he could return to work. He could still feel the responses of his body to what had happened. He was not an unusual man. He had not wanted Karen’s mothering until he had been frightened. She had said that he wasn’t the same. He wasn’t a thoughtful person, he knew, and he would let his mind lose its hold on what he had seen and done. That itself was curious and terrifying.

Karen brought him a cup of coffee. He made room for her to sit beside him.

“How do you feel?” she asked.

“Better. I’ll be all right.”

“Are you comfortable?”

“Sure. What’s on your mind?”

“I don’t know how you’re going to react. I don’t know what it means yet, but my period is late. It doesn’t mean I’m pregnant for sure. A lot of women are late all the time.”

She was so concerned for him that she was trying to wish it away. “You are. You’ll see,” he said.

“You’re glad?”

“Am I?” He put his cup and saucer on the table. “Come on. I couldn’t be happier. It’s fine, honey.”

“You’re not kidding me, are you?”

“Do you think I am?”

“I don’t know,” she said.

“I’m not Karen, I’m not.”

“I don’t know what to think. It changes so much. Why should you take it this way?”

“Ah, to hell with that. How am I supposed to take it?”

“That’s it,” she said. “You’re doing what you’re supposed to. Don’t fool me, Joe. If you’re not happy, say so.”

“For what? What would I do that for, anyway?”

“So the truth will be out. We’re not dishonest with each other. I want things going right.”

“I’m glad, Karen. I really am.”

“I was careful. I tried to be.”

“Don’t talk like that.”

“I’m not the mother type,” she said.

“That’s not the way you tell it when the lights are out. Look at me. Is it?”