ansion felt like living

his car was in the driveway, his laughter filled the rooms. He and Jor

l, significant event before the end of the social season. Arvin

le who knew him as Mr. Romero but had never truly seen him. He was say

ak tree, looking for a moment of peace.

a with Cale again," one s

h Arvin?" the other a

up, he'll be given a generous severance and sent on his wa

e, reduced to a business transaction. He felt a cold clarit

awn. She was standing with Cale near the rose bushes, the same ones Arvin

was a long, slow, possessive kiss,

roke the final thread. It

ose he used to leave on her pillow every morning for the first year of their m

into Cale's lapel. She was giving Cale the ve

It turned to dust and blew

rk, angry gray. Rain began to fall in heavy sheets. G

's hand. "Come on,

plastering his shirt to his skin, his hair to his forehead. He t

idn't need their world. He would s

rted himself into the shape of a perfect husband, a perfect c

be earned. And he

e would love himself.

the warm lights of the tent, and w