�Diane, did you sleep with Sorenson?�

Silence.

Harry got up abruptly and went for his coat.

�Sit down, Harry.� Her voice was so forceful that Harry stopped suddenly, and turned. He never took his eyes off her as he sank back into his seat, as if guided by some magical force. �If you don�t want to hear the answer to a question, then don�t ask it.�

�That�s not a denial, Diane.�

�No, it�s not. But I feel like you�re hunting for a reason to shove me away from you.�

�Don�t insult my intelligence by whining that it was all a big mistake, or a big misunderstanding.�

�It wasn�t a misunderstanding. But it was definitely a mistake.�

�And I suppose it was all my fault.�

�No, it was my fault, too. What I don�t know is where we go from here.�

�Just where exactly are we now?� Harry asked.

�The last time we saw each other, you told me you loved me.�

�But Sorenson was the better man with the better job, the better reputation, the nicer guy,� Harry sneered. �He got in the way.�

�No, Harry. You did.�

Harry was quiet for a long while. Diane sipped her water and watched his face. She could hear her neighbor�s stereo, which was cranked up loud, as usual. Today�s selection was �Respect the Wind,� a haunting instrumental with Alex Van Halen�s moody keyboards and Eddie Van Halen�s unique soaring guitar that made Diane feel like violent storms were brewing right outside her window.

�Claire saw me hugging Danny a couple of weeks ago,� Diane added when his silence became suffocating. She couldn�t read Harry�s face exactly, but she was sure there was no surprise in his features. �That was a goodbye. Since then we�ve barely spoken. And I don�t think I can bear to lose you both.�

�Even though I�m a lowly courier who is, admittedly, difficult to abide?�

�Even though half the time I can barely stand you,� Diane said, nodding.