After my shower I smelled cooking, and realized that I was hungry. I dressed and went into the kitchen, where Matt was making pancakes, with real butter and maple syrup.
“Mmm-mmm!” I said, sitting down. “All this great cooking,” I added. “You’re going to make me as plump as you are.”
I said this kiddingly, and was mortified a second later to see that the remark seemed to have hit a nerve. He had frozen and was now looking down, massaging his belly ruefully. Then he turned to look at me.
“I guess I do eat too much,” he said. I didn’t say anything, but my ears burned slightly. Then he sat down and we set to. It was only when we finished and were enjoying coffee that he continued.
“I guess it stops the other stuff—thoughts and feelings, that sort of thing.”
I nodded.
“Plus, in winter up
