it go this time。 〃Are you married？〃
Lips pursed； he studied his hands。 〃No。〃
〃Have you ever been married？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃Are you divorced？〃
〃No。〃
〃Separated？〃
〃No。〃
There was only one other possibility。 It made sense on many different
levels。
〃My wife died；〃 he said； looking at her now。
Anne saw the pain in his eyes。 〃I'm sorry。 You must have loved her very
much。〃
&（l did。〃
〃How did she die？〃
His jaw clenched； and anger joined the pain。 She was wondering if the
anger was directed at her； when he grew mellow again。 〃I'd rather not go
into it。 That'd be getting more personal than we planned。〃
〃But it helps to talk sometimes。 Doesn't it？ I mean； if you're angry…〃
〃Who's angry？〃
〃I thought I saw…〃
〃What about your anger？ I've heard it； you know。 Do you talk about it？〃
He pushed his chair back but didn't rise。 Both hands clutched the edge
of the table。 〃You don't know what I'm feeling。 You don't know anything
about me； about my work； my responsibilities。 How can you be so
sanctimonious？〃
She recoiled。 〃Sanctimonious？ I was just trying to help。 After what I
went through not so long ago； I may be feeling some of what you are； and
yes； I may want to talk about it。 I may want a little help； myself。〃
The confession startled her。 She was wondering where it had e from；
when Mitch sat ba