were drying fast。 She felt more calm now； purged。
〃You sit down；〃 he repeated； 〃while I cook。 Then we'll decide what's to
be done about this 。。。 mess。〃
Anne helped herself to a fresh cup of coffee； adding hot water from the
tap； then returned to her chair。 He worked in silence； cracking eggs
into the heavy iron skillet； toasting a fresh batch of bread； pouring
two glasses of orange juice； toting it all to the table。
She ate everything on her plate； matching him egg for egg； toast for
toast； juice for juice。 Then he poured her a second cup of coffee；
filled the creamer with water and put that too before her。
Back in his chair； he said； 〃I spent a lot of time last night thinking
about this。 I planned to do some fishing； some hiking； some reading； and
a lot of sleeping。 What had you wanted to do？〃
She tipped up her chin。 〃Read。 Work。 Take walks； explore the
neighborhood； enjoy the solitude。〃
He looked out the window。 Bright sun lit the yard。 〃Look； this may sound
crazy； but I think we can both stay here。 We both seem to want quiet and
solitude。 We can each just go our own way。〃 He looked at her。 〃I know
this area； and； trust me； there won't be another place to stay on such
short notice。〃
She tucked a handful of hair behind her ear。 This wasn't quite the
vacation she had imagined； but he had a point。 He didn't seem willing to