“It’s like some kind of personal talisman, isn’t it?”
She smiled and emptied the rest of the bottle into his glass.
“I guess you could say that. It helps me think.”
“Always thinking, aren’t you, Me-lis-sa.” He pronounced her name slowly, then took another gulp of the wine.
“Finish that and let’s roll you off to bed.”
“Okee dokee.” He drained the rest of his glass in one go.
Somehow she kept him upright and moving in the correct direction, until they got to his door and he stood gazing at it, clearly still unable to see well.
“Where’s your key card?”
He looked down at his hands and seemed surprised to find them empty.
“Is it in your hidden pocket?”
He looked at her curiously. “My what?”
“Good grief.” She dropped her backpack and reached to tug at the loop that disappeared behind
