When Earl came back a half hour later he opened the door slowly. “Is it okay to come in?”
Janet and I laughed. “Sure! Come in,” I called.
Janet and I were still sitting on the couch. She was grasping my hand.
Earl walked in and held up a big bag. “I figured we all needed a drink. I’ve got more Cuervo Gold, a bottle of Glenfiddich, and a Bacardi Black. One for each of us. And a half-dozen limes! Oh, and a bottle of Coke for me.” He looked at Janet. “Ice? Water? Neat?”
She smiled at him. “Neat, today. No sense in wasting water.”
“Be right back.” He went into the kitchen and in a few minutes returned with drinks for each of us.
“So,” he started. “Have you thought it through?”
I nodded. “I guess I’ll have to stay here, won’t I?”
“Definitely,” said Earl.
“Yes,” agreed Janet, “But not i
