“Not really. They tell you to come in with a bathing suit on, so it’s not that big a deal. The guy who told me about the auditions gave me some pointers. I took a few classes.” He watched her as he spoke. “You don’t seem upset.”

“Why would I be upset? You mean morally?” She shook her head. “No. I have no problem with that. It’s more the strangeness of it. Like I just found out you have a llama herd or something.”

“A llama herd?”

“I’ve never known anyone with llamas. It must have been hard working nights. I know people do, but it’s not our bodies’ natural rhythm. I would guess entertainers have a whole different sleep cycle. I get up early—I’m not sure I could adjust.”

Thaddeus’s expression was unreadable, but if she had to guess, she would say he was wondering when she’d grown her second head.

“What?” she demanded.

“That’s your big concern? My sleep cycle?”

“What did you expect? How do most women act?” She ate another fry, then wrinkled her nose. “Oh, no. Do they ask you to strip for them? That could be awkward. I mean if it was organic to the moment, but to have someone you care about expect that sort of thing... It could be demeaning. Or maybe dehumanizing. One of the D words. I absolutely could not handle that.”

She looked at him and grinned. “No offense. I couldn’t handle anyone stripping. Seeing another man naked? I would totally freak out.”

The two-headed look returned. “Why? Guys pretty much all look the same.”

“Yes, but I’ve only ever seen Stuart naked.”

“Now you’re the llama farmer.”

She waved her burger. “Why is that shocking?”

“You’ve only been with one guy?”

“That’s not unusual. I was a virgin when we married.” She smiled. “Well, maybe not technically. But it was really close.”

“How was it close?”

“I felt guilty that we’d had sex.”

Thaddeus laughed. “Guilt counts?”

“Yes. Everybody knows that. Anyway, we started dating young. He was the only guy I dated or kissed or anything.” She took a bite and chewed. “I think it was because I lost my family. I was looking to belong somewhere and Stuart made that possible. We could belong to each other.”

“That’s very insightful.”

And unanticipated, she thought, in surprise. She hadn’t married Stuart to belong—she’d married him because she loved him. There was no other reason.

“So what’s your thing with llamas?” Thaddeus asked.

“I’ve never known what you used them for,” she admitted, grateful for the change in subject. “Alpacas have those fibers, but what do llamas do? Aside from spit?”

“You have a fancy smartphone. You could look it up.”

“Later,” she told him. “Then I’ll report back.”

fourteen

After dinner, Unity and Thaddeus decided to catch a movie. When it was over, he drove her home. Despite the fact that it was close to nine, it was still light outside. The sun had set, but the last rays had yet to fade.