It was a warm Sat.u.r.day night in August, and Pearl was staying at my place while Susan and I were at her place having c.o.c.ktails, and roasting fresh corn and two buffalo steaks over the charcoal on Susan's open air upper deck. The buffalo steaks came from a place in north central Ma.s.s. called Alta Vista farm, and Susan liked them because they had less fat than chicken. We had the charcoal in the grill and were waiting for it to get that nice gray ash all over it, while the steaks were in the kitchen marinating in red wine, rosemary, and garlic. Since it was hot on the porch, we thought after the second c.o.c.ktail that a shower would be nice, and then when we were showered and had our clothes off anyway, why not lie down for a bit in the airconditioned bedroom, while we waited for the charcoal.

"I had lunch with Lisa St. Claire today," Susan said. "She spoke very warmly of you."

I was a.n.a.lyzing why Susan's body was so much better than other women's. This required me to look at it studiously, and at times, do some hands-on research. I knew it distracted her from what she was saying, but science must be served.

"Maybe it's because I rescued her from a homicidal maniac," I said.

"Probably has something to do with it... What are you doing?"

"Experimenting."

"Well, if you wish to, you may do it again."

"As necessary," I said. "How are she and Belson doing?"

"I think they are okay," Susan said. "For one thing, they are now dealing with the real people, not some fairy-tale people they've invented for each other."

Susan took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "And... they've both... learned," she said.

"Yes?" I said. "What have they both learned?"

Susan shifted a little on the bed beside me.

"I... don't... remember," she said.

"She learned that he couldn't entirely protect her," I said.

"Yes," Susan said.

"He learned that she was not a G.o.ddess who had deigned to marry him," I said.

"And... what... have... you... learned?"

"I believe I've learned how to get your attention," I said. My voice sounded a little hoa.r.s.e to me.

"You've... known... that... for... years," Susan said.

She put her face very close to mine so that her lips mashed mine when she spoke. I cleared my throat, but my voice still seemed scratchy.

"No harm in retraining," I croaked. "None."

Susan arched her body toward me. Her voice was very soft.

"Do...me... a... favor?" she said.

"Yes."

"Please... stop... talking," she whispered.

"We're so freshly showered," I wheezed. "Should we get all sweaty again?"

"Shut... up," she whispered. So I did.