She looked slightly stunned by the comment as well she might have been; Desmond couldn’t remember ever being so blunt with her before. He was a little stunned himself. He’d always felt most comfortable standing on the periphery of these mudslinging contests, safely ensconced as a spectator in the stands. He wasn’t sure what had compelled him to step into the middle of it.

“You are indeed,” Gloria said. “I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t. Sometimes I’m just not sure what Russell wants from us.” She was looking directly into Desmond’s eyes, stroking her braid, challenging him.

“You’d have to ask him, but I’d guess it’s what we all want—childish things: finger paints and facile compliments.”

“Oh, dear. Not my specialty.”

“No. That’s why seeing you make the effort would be so meaningful.”

Gloria said nothing, but she stopped stroking her hair.

“Rough weekend?” Leon asked.

“Possibly”

There was nothing left to say, at least nothing anyone wanted to say, so they sat in silence trying to chip away at the mountains of food in front of them. When Russell returned to the table, Gloria sat back in her seat and gazed at him. “You know,” she said finally, “those chops, or whatever you call them, the sideburns, are really quite becoming. They balance out your face.”

“Wouldn’t you know it,” Russell said. “I was just looking at them in the mirror and decided to shave them off.”

3.

As soon as Russell had left for work the next morning, Desmond called Peter at the apartment he’d moved into shortly after Velan had kicked him out. “Please come down,” Peter begged. “I want to show off the place. It’s a fresh look for me. Clear, clean, no more of that designer crap. And I really want you to meet Sandy. You’re going to love him.”

“To be honest,” Desmond said, “I was hoping I might get a chance to talk to you alone. After I’ve met Sandy, naturally.” Naturally, he’d have to put up with a show-and-tell of apartment and boyfriend, a tour of the rooms and discussion of the furniture. He’d have to sit patiently while Peter and Sandy groped each other in front of him. People always have to display new real estate and relationships before the paint starts to crack on both.

“Come at noon,” Peter said. “You’ll get the whole picture.”