as pathetic as

ay in a town car. He mumbled something about being sorry, his eyes fixed on

It was a transaction, nothing mo

terclass in psyc

stage. Frank was seated at the far end, next to his father, like a naughty chi

low, deliberate

t cuts of roast beef, asking about her day, her plans, her

was about this incredibly stupid man," she announced to the room, "who had a perfect life a

gainst his plate. His face wa

ssion about a new corporate liability law, treating h

pletely, utte

ife and fork onto his plate. The clatt

d shaking with fury. "This is a joke. You're

. "If you perceive this as humiliation, Frank, it suggests

ce went from red to purple. His rage, having found no purchase with his fa

his eyes wild. "To watch my own family turn on me. To se

th her linen napkin. She placed it bes

with a look of profound, soul-crushing indifference. "I never wanted to see you p

s, your humiliation... it all means nothing to me. I am s

per than anger. It was the sound of a door closing forever. He had expected a fi

ed his face, quickly swallowed

, the legs screeching ag

st my ap

ck rigid with the agony of a man who has

. "Well, that's a waste of a

roubled sound. "I apologiz

ook another bite of beef. It tasted like cardboard. This victory, if t

The air was thick with memories, all of them now tainted. He was on th

gnore

and her perfume mingling in the enclosed space. It made her stomach clench

nd, without a word, tossed them on

e. This was her bed now. He