ipped of soap。 She held them out to the sides。
〃I want you to tell me what's wrong；〃 he insisted； and she was suddenly
angry。
〃Why？ I don't owe you an explanation for my behavior； any more than you
owe me one for yours！〃
His eyes held hers for long minutes。 〃Ah。 That's it。 You want an
explanation for my lateness； like this is some kind of a business
meeting。〃
〃I don't want a thing！〃 she cried； whipping out of his grasp to dry her
hands on the towel。 She thrust a damp rag into his hand。 〃Here。 You
finish cleaning。 I'm going to bed。〃
She held off tears until she was safely up in her attic room and sure of
not being followed。 Then they came with a vengeance。 She had loved Jeff
and lost him； through powers that were beyond her。 Now it was happening
all over again with Mitch。
Oh； yes； she loved Mitch 。。。 Mitch； whose last name she didn't even
know。 She knew that she had missed him desperately； that his brooding
upset her； along with her inability to console him。 She knew that she
wanted an explanation for his delay。
For long hours she agonized。 Leave here tomorrow； a tiny voice said；
protect yourself； you don't need this pain。 But a louder voice told her
to wait。 Mitch made her feel。 She wanted to be with him。 There was
always hope。
On that optimistic note she fell into a deep sleep； long after all sound
of life fro