Chapter 8: Room 1410

Room 1410 at the Drake had a view of the lake and a stack of envelopes on the desk, tied with a shoelace.

Monty opened the door before I knocked.

"You came," he said.

"I read the sixth one."

His face changed.

"Where did you find it?"

"Kip kept it. Unopened." I came in and shut the door behind me. "What's the postscript, Monty? What about the lake?"

He looked at the carpet.

"I'll tell you," he said. "On the thirtieth. I promise. I want you to hear it when I can say it right, and not like this."

"That isn't an answer."

"It's the only one I can give you tonight without breaking something."

He looked so wretched that I let it go.

I'd been angry for three days. I was tired of being angry.

I wanted one thing in my life to be simple and warm and mine.

"You said you wouldn't touch me," I said.

"I said I wouldn't."

"I'm touching you."

I put my palms flat on his chest and felt his heart going under my hands.

"Selah."

"Say yes, Monty."

"Yes," he said, hoarse, and then his mouth was on mine.

He kissed me hard, finished with keeping still.

His hands finally came up, into my hair, down my back, and he lifted me off the floor and walked me backward to the bed.

I pulled his sweater over his head.

He had a good chest, warm and broad, and I put my mouth on it and felt him shudder.

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