Coming back from the airport was really hard. I sat in my car and cried until there were no more tears. The drive home was the longest drive I had bee... on in years, at least it felt that way to me. When I entered the house it felt so empty. I was alone and I felt empty also. I fixed myself a meager dinner, watched some TV and the went to bed. I tossed and turned for the longest time. Mike called me to let me know they were in Los Angeles and would be boarding in a few minutes for the next. Surrounded by hills, it was, in fact, a flooded valley, it was a lovely place. I took them to my usual spot, a little back from the water, where a few trees provided some shade from the hot Spanish sun.The first thing I did, was to set up my rod and line with rod safely anchored, lust in case a giant carp took the bait.Back under the trees, I found Nardia had already sorted everything. She invited me to sit, then passed me a glass of, still cold, white wine. After a while, Mariana and Santiago. He knocked with his knuckles, twice. And then he waited.Maybe they wouldn't answer. Maybe they were asleep. Maybe--And then he heard a shuffling behind the door, and the hallway click thatmeant a switch had been flipped. A sleepy voice: "Who is it?"The voice was thick, but sweet. Only a few moments earlier he'd heard itmoan "Oh, fuck me!" and then scream. It was *her* voice.Todd opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He tried again. "Ummm, it'sTodd...Todd Farber. From next door?"The. “That’s good. That was my intent”“I know. Um, I mostly called to say thank you. I know that’s awkward for both of us, but I needed what you gave me. I needed it bad,” she finished.“Yeah, I know. Well it sounds strange, even to me, but ‘You’re welcome’ is the only response that comes to mind,” he replied.She laughed, “Yeah it does sound strange, but it’s appropriate. And, err, Mark?”Uh-oh, he thought, “Yes?”“Let’s do it again, okay?”There was a silence from both of them.Ultimately it was Mark.