Was Grendel really asking whether I was single?
Avoiding his gaze, I considered what I should say, but at last decided anything but the bare truth was an impossibility—the very idea of deceiving Grendel hurt me inside.
“Actually,” I admitted, “my love life was never very successful.” Reaching down, I scratched Jake’s ear. “Jake here’s been the only lasting love of my life.”
I chanced to glance at Grendel and saw with joy that his expression was extraordinarily gentle now.
“Yes,” he murmured, looking at Jake. “I see that love. It is—most kind.” And he touched Jake with infinite care. Jake lifted his head in response, pushing against the big fingertip, and wagged his tail.
Grendel was still looking at Jake, when he said quietly, “Do you know why? Why you have not found love?”
Before I
