Laurie walked into the center of the room. There wasn’t much furniture: a couch, a chair, a bookcase made out of cin-derblocks and bare lumber, and a couple of small tables. There were no paintings or pictures on the walls. The only light came from a floor lamp next to the couch, where Jack had obviously been reading. The rest of the room was lost in shadow. An open bottle of beer was on a small side table. A medical dictionary was open on the floor.

Jack reappeared moments later tucking a shirt into khaki shorts. He looked apologetic.

“I hope I’m not bothering you,” Laurie said. “I know it’s late.”

“You’re not bothering me in the slightest,” Jack said. “In fact, it’s a nice surprise. Can I take your coat?”

“I suppose,” Laurie said. She slipped out of it and handed it to him. He made a beeline for his closet.

“How about a beer?” Jack said as he searched for a hanger.

“No, thanks,” Laurie said. She sat down in the frayed and tattered armchair. Her eyes roamed the room. She knew something about what motivated Jack’s domestic asceticism, and it depressed her further. It had been eight years since Jack’s family had been killed in the commuter plane crash, and Laurie wished he felt freer to enjoy his life.

“How about something else?” Jack asked as he came into the cone of light from the floor lamp. “Water, tea, or juice? I even have Gatorade.”

“I’m fine, actually,” Laurie said. “I just had a big dinner.”

“Oh,” Jack said simply. He sat down on the couch.

“I really do hope you don’t mind me dropping in on you like this,” Laurie said. “I was at a restaurant not too far away on Columbus Avenue near the Museum of Natural History.”

“I’m pleased,” Jack said. “I’m glad to see you.”

“So I just thought I’d stop by,” Laurie said. “Since I was so close.”

“It’s okay,” Jack said. “Really. I don’t mind at all. Honest.”

“Thanks,” Laurie said.

“Did something happen at dinner?” Jack questioned.

“Yes,” Laurie said. “A bit of unpleasantness.”

“I’m sorry,” Jack said. “Was it because of what Lou and I told you this afternoon?”

“That had something to do with it,” Laurie said.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really,” Laurie said. “I suppose that sounds illogical, since I’ve come here to see you instead of going home to my apartment to be by myself.”

“Hey, nobody’s going to force you to talk about something you don’t want to talk about.”

Laurie nodded.

Jack couldn’t tell if she was really okay or if she was on the verge of tears.

“Let’s talk about you,” Laurie said, breaking the silence.

“Me?” Jack questioned uneasily.

“I heard that Warren Wilson came by the office today,” Laurie said. “What was that all about?”