Page 46 of Lucky Night

He crosses his legs. Folds his hands. Looks at her like,Well?

She erupts with laughter.

She can’t helpit!

Tears spring to her eyes.

Did she…did she…

Oh my God,what?

He’s serious! Look at him, sitting there in his little interrogation chair. This—thisis what he’s been thinking about over there on the bed, while she’s been melting down about the fire and her boys, Jewish mothers and him—how she loved him once. How she burned.

For this guy!

Wow. She wipes her tears away. Thanks. I needed that.

Happy to help. Will you answer the question?

Sorry, she says. I have no idea who you’re talking about.

Jenny.

If you could give me a name, maybe I could help. Otherwise…

I don’t want to say his name, he says. It’s a stupid fucking name and I refuse to sayit.

Oh! She slaps her forehead. Are you talking aboutJuan Pablo? Juan PabloTorrrrrrres? Themuy guapodirector of my bookadaptación?

Is there a reason why you’re unwilling to answer a simple question?

Are you actually as anxious about the fire as I am? she asks him. Are you freaking out, and this is how you cope—by distracting yourself with random questions about my sex life?

It’s not random, he says. I want to know if I’m safe.

You’re not safe, Nick. You’re trapped in a burning building.

I mean safe from disease, he says.

She takes that in. Safe from disease.You mean, a disease in my vagina.

There’s no need to get upset, he says.

Hey. She holds up her hands. Who’s upset?

I just want information. You said he hit on you. You didn’t say whether he was successful.

Whether I fucked him, you mean. Whether I fucked another man, contracted an STI from him, then came here and passed it to you. That’s what you want to talk about? Now?

Why not? I assume you’ve seen the news. The fire is under control.

I have seen that, she says. We’ll be out of here soon. In the meantime, you want information? So do I. Let’s lay it all out. Be completely honest with each other before our time here comes to an end. Sound good?

Before their time here comes to an end. He hears in those words an unmistakable note of finality. He has wondered, since they got back to the room, since she blamed and attacked him, whether this might be it for them. They had a good run. Six years. But they never built the kind of bond that could survive a challenge like this.

It’s too bad. Still, given everything that’s happened tonight, maybe it’s for the best.

So they’ll have it out. All their concealments and evasions. Not that he’s concealed much, but sure. He’ll tell her whatever she wants to know. Then they can part as friends.

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