Hey,oldfriend.

           Whatdoyousay,oldfriend?

           Makeitokay,oldfriend,

           Giveanoldfriendshipabreak.

           Whysogrim?We’regoingonforever.

           You,me,him—toomanylivesareatstake…

           —STEPHENSONDHEIM,"OLDFRIENDS"

           ItwasSaturdaymorning.Shadowansweredthedoor.

           MargueriteOlsenwasthere.Shedidnotcomein,juststoodthereinthesunlight,lookingserious."MisterAinsel…?"

           "Mike,please,"saidShadow.

           "Mike,yes.Wouldyouliketocomeoverfordinnertonight?Aboutsix-ish?Itwon’tbeanythingexciting,justspaghettiandmeatballs."

           "Notaproblem.Ilikespaghettiandmeatballs."

           "Obviously,ifyouhaveanyotherplans…"

           "Ihavenootherplans."

           "Sixo’clock."

           "ShouldIbringflowers?"

           "Ifyoumust.Butthisisasocialgesture.Notaromanticone."Sheclosedthedoorbehindher.

           Heshowered.Hewentforashortwalk,downtothebridgeandback.Thesunwasup,atarnishedquarterinthesky,andhewassweatinginhiscoatbythetimehegothome.Ithadtobeabovefreezing.Hedrovethe4RunnerdowntoDave’sFinestFoodsandboughtabottleofwine.Itwasatwenty-dollarbottle,whichseemedtoShadowlikesomekindofguaranteeofquality.