“Of course I took Viagra. I won’t see you for at least a week, maybe longer. I knew I wanted a lot of sex. You need a hard dick for that.”

“It’s not good for you, baby.”

“I’ll survive. Pick your chin up about an inch. A little more. Stop.” He surveyed what he saw. “Spread your knees about two inches. Stop. Hold the pose.”

He sketched furiously. About ten minutes later, he took off his glasses, waved me over, and showed me the pad. “What do you think?”

I smiled. “I think you made me look sixteen instead of forty-two.”

“No, I drew the lines on the eyes and forehead.” A pause. “Maybe I softened them a little, but it’s what you look like, baby. You are that gorgeous.”

I whispered a thank-you.

“You can put your robe on.” He got up and came back five minutes later. “Okay. Here’s what you looked like at sixteen.” He showed me the sketches from twenty-six years ago. They were in a laminate plastic, but still roughed up at the edges and yellowed with age. He said, “Not that much difference between now and then.”

“Yeah, right!” I stared at the picture. “I was so young. How did you talk me into doing that?”

“You loved me.”

“I would have died for you.” I took the sketches and laid them on the floor. I sat on his lap. “Please, please be careful.” I kissed him. “Please.”

He kissed me hard, then gave my butt cheek a slap. “I’ve got to pack.” He got up and opened a cupboard and brought down the same leather bag that he had shoved in my chest just a few short months earlier. I felt tears coming. He turned to me. “None of that.”

“Sorry.” I sat on the bed and watched him start to pack.

He said, “You have total freedom now, Teresa. You’re in the system. I even gave you the codes to my vault in case something happens to me. Theoretically, you can steal all my cash and run away anywhere. So, you be good, okay?”

“I’m not going anywhere, baby. You are stuck with me.”

His smile wasn’t cross, but it wasn’t friendly. “I believe you.” He blew out air. “That could be a deadly mistake.”

Anything I’d say he would misinterpret. I said nothing.

He said, “Be a good girl and get me another cup of coffee.”

“Of course.” I took his mug, refilled it, and poured one for myself. I gave myself a pep talk and walked his mug back to the bedroom. When I got back, he had taken down a small duffel. He was quick and efficient in his packing. When he yawned, I said, “Do you want to rest a little before you go?”

“I don’t have time. Besides, I can sleep on the plane.”

“How are you going? To India?”