”Hmm, that apology went well. Even if her social skills were the shits, his weren’t much better. “Sorry, what I wanted to say was that, when I c...n get on my feet, I’d like to do whatever I can to repay you. I don’t know if I have any money, but I’ll attempt any chores you might need taken care of. Okay?”“Yeah, okay . . . but not until you’re up to it. You’ve been a pain in the ass so far, and I really don’t want to have to go through this nursing shit again if I can help it. Now, if you’ll. ” “Fine with me.” She poured me a martini. She made a toasting gesture with her glass and said, “To love.” I repeated her toast and had a sip of it and managed not to make a face – too much vermouth. I picked an olive off the toothpick and even that didn’t make it better. I shook a Lucky out of my pack and offered her one. She accepted. I lit hers and mine with the same flame. Good smoke. “So, we were discussing why you think your husband’s having an affair.” “Were we? That’s such a bore. Let’s. For awhile there I thought we were done with the "Joan" business but, Iguess it wasn't going to disappear that easily. That was one thing Ididn't miss about Sam. Her new insistence on calling me "Joan" and "girl"all the time. All right, perhaps I wasn't being honest with myself, but atthat very moment that's how I felt. I made my way to Darla's trying toimagine just what type of excuses she might have concocted for herbehavior at lunch time. I couldn't come up with anything that made senseand. .. come over and do your best. I will warn you though, I'm not going to be easy to convince of anything doing with her now." I'll be there in fifteen minutes."She was there in ten. The pounding on the door woke me out of my trance. I found that I was looking on the mantle over the fireplace at a picture of Becky and I and Samantha in the first days Samantha had come into our lives. I found myself asking why I hadn't tossed that picture out yet?"Come in... I'm sorry, I don't know your name.".