He led Zara to the escalator and accompanied her as it rose to the top floor. He'd only ever been there before to attend meetings where he'd felt very...much like an insignificant cog in a giant multinational wheel. Zara strode out of the lift while Alex dawdled behind and watched as the young woman pushed open every door that could be opened and looked through the windows of those that couldn't."He's not here," she said at last."No," said Alex with relief. "Perhaps he was never here in the first. She also had to live in a group home so she could get help she needed. You hadn't cared. You were willing to do what it took. Some might even been fun, helping her shower, helping her dress.... Starting that July things suddenly changed. You broke up and she saw someone else for about a week. Then when he dumped her she said she still loved you. You were hesitant, not sure if you could trust her (you know now of course), but you loved her and believed her. Then she didn't invite you to her. ” Reaching out and touching my hand, she smiled and suggested, “Let’s go home where we can talk some more.” By this time the bar was closing anyway, so we got our coats and left. Walking alone the street I took her arm, and she gave it a polite squeeze. Once inside my flat we took off our coats, and mother suggested we have another drink. I poured two glasses of wine, and returned to join her on my sofa. We clicked glasses in a salutation, and took our first sip. Mother went on to tell me,. “You are welcome. What can I offer you,” I asked her? She turned to me and stared straight into my eye as she said that she only wants to be in my arms. “I am sorry for this. I have never done anything like this before but I just want you to know how I am feeling. I have never met anyone like you and I have wished so many times that I am not married. But if you will give me one thing, it will be to be held in your arms and to be loved by you.”Her words were like sweet songs to my ears. I pulled.