“For a time,” Dori grumbled as if she already knew where my tale was going.
I glanced at her, freshly amazed by her perceptiveness. “How did you know that?” I had to ask, admiring her talent.
“Because,” she answered bluntly. “She’s dead, and you’re scared of s*x. Something had to go wrong. Did she actually catch you with someone else? Is that it?”
“No.” I shook my head, then shrugged. “Not that it would have mattered. As long as I left her alone, she honestly didn’t care what I did with other women. Though I did keep it discreet from her, regardless, as—I don’t know—a sign of respect, I guess. If anything we did in those days could be even remotely respectful.”
I winced, certain that respect had played no part in any of it. Then I looked into Dori’s eyes, itching to apologize to her. S
