XVIIThere was a dinner break. Across the street was a fifties style diner. Urban and Duchane decided to go there. The specials menu was reasonable. Hal got a club sandwich and a chocolate shake. Justine got steak and eggs and water. “I swear you have a tapeworm,” she quipped.
“There are worse reasons to be scrawny.” He took a sip and got whipped cream on his nose. They shared a laugh as he wiped it off. This awkward young man now knew more about Justine than anyone at the paper.
“Can I straight with you?” Her eyes were tired but still haunting.
Haven’t you been? was his first thought but Urban philosophized instead, “If you are going to be a successful stateswoman than I hope you are always straight when you talk, all the time no matter what.” The writer was well read and the more sober
