I turned back his way. I dont want to bother you. I just needed to return the shirt.
Yes, and now that youve done that?
One vague question, one piercing stare and suddenly I felt like a rabbit caught in a snare. Though wishing I could flee the scene, I stood frozen and unable to move. Did Maximus have any idea how easy it was for him to manipulate me? I like to think he did, though weve never actually discussed the matter. To extricate myself from him seemed like a perilous task, when it could have been as easy as ripping off some meaningless comment and slipping out the door. Instead of slipping out, I stood before him, honoring the question with a good deal of thought and nervousness I could not control.
But leave it to Maximus to fill the void with another probing comment. D
