“When you look him in the eye you’ll know.”

“Thanks.” She stirred her coffee and threw the spoon into the sink. “You win, after a fashion. We broke up today.”

“There’s nothing I can tell you.”

“Don’t gloat, you bastard. I’m going to stay in Steffie’s room. I don’t know what I’ll be doing now. I want to be left to myself.”

“Can you tell me what that means?”

“No. Let’s not talk. I don’t feel very well.”

They left it at that. He did not hear from Palmer. With Christmas so close he hoped Karen would soften a little. In Steffie’s presence she was civilized, but nothing more. He did not want to endure the preparation for Steffie’s holiday in such misery. Still, he could not discuss it with Karen. If there was going to be anything left he could not give in to her, because it meant giving in to what she had done.

Christmas went by. After the New Year he got out of bed one afternoon and found her in the kitchen, her face red from crying. “Leave me alone,” she said.

“I’d like to have something to eat.”

“Oh, go ahead.” She went inside. Alone, he had to think that this did not have to mean anything good. Palmer could want to see her again. The further Leland carried the thought the more he realized how bitter he remained. If she thought that she had had enough of his bitterness, she had no idea of what was still choking inside him.

She came out again, her face washed. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Shoot.”

“Where are you getting your sex?”

“None of your business.”

“Are you getting it?”

He sat back. “You know what my appetites are.”

“Joe, if you bring home a disease, that will be the end.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“You know your way around those whores. You could be doing anything.”

“I told you not to worry about it.”

“Would you be willing to have sex with me again?”

“For its own sake? On those terms?”

“That’s the way it would have to be. I wouldn’t hold back.”

He regarded her. “You don’t have any more trouble?”

“Once in a while. I’m all right if I don’t start worrying about it. Then I lock up.”

“I think I can understand that. Okay. Go inside.”

“Joe, I don’t mean now.”

“I don’t either. I don’t want to talk anymore.”

“Do you hate me?”

“Inside, Karen.”