Teeny took the paper, frowned, and read it aloud.?Gloria Needleman, age eighty-four, Cayuga Terrace? Teeny looked up with a theatrically sly smile. We gonna get a ring for her, too?

Rick ignored him. Apparently, this lady warned Josie that I was in danger and advised her that being my girlfriend would require forgiveness.

What the hell? Every trace of humor was gone in Teenys expression. How do you know this lady?

I dont know her, thats the point. I have no idea who she is.

Teeny folded the paper and stuck it in the pocket of his jacket. So how does Josie know her?

Rick laughed. She interviewed her a few weeks back for an obituary about her husband, and the lady gave her some advice for the lovelorn on her way out.

Teeny shook his head. I dont like it.

That seems to be your mantra lately, Rick said, patting him on the shoulder. I want to head over to Josies this afternoon. I thought Id surprise her with dinner when she gets home.

What are you going to do, break in?

Rick chuckled. She gave me a key.

Well, its nice to know shes as lax with her personal safety as you are.

Teeny sighed. Ill pick you up at four.

It was stupid of me to fall for it, I know, LaShelle said. He told me he had a producer friend in L.A. who would record a demo for me. Thats where we were headed when he dumped my ass in Nebraska.

Im sorry, but I dont know what a demo is, Bennett said.

LaShelle laughed. Its a CD with a few of your songs on ityou know, a /demonstration/ of your talent.

Of course.

Youre such a nerd, Benny, she said, playfully punching him on the arm.

What did you do back in Rhode Island, anyway?

Bennett smiled, noting how shed just violated her no-personal-contact rule. I recently retired from a chemical manufacturing corporation. I worked there for forty-five years.

Shit! LaShelle said. How did you survive a job that boring for that long? I worked a couple months at a Taco Bell and I thought Id die.

Bennett laughed. Its amazing what you can get used to.

LaShelle smirked. Thats not how I plan to live /my/ life, I can tell you that. She shook her head and raised her chin. Im going for it, Benny. Im getting my ass out there and Im taking on Los Angeles and the world and one day youre gonna be hearing my shit everywhereon the radio, in movies, on TV.

I know I will.

Im gonna blow up fast. Overnight, Benny. Bennett assumed that blowing up was a good thing in the music business, unlike his line of work. That kind of determination will take you far, he said.

LaShelle was suddenly quiet. Bennett looked out of the corner of his eye to see her wipe a silent tear from her cheek. Her swagger had wilted as quickly as it had blossomed.

He decided not to push her. She was a smart girl, and clearly, reality had long ago stuck a toe into the door of her dreams. Determination was important, but it wouldnt pay the rent, and she knew it. Dreams wouldnt keep her belly full.

Bennett didnt have to askLaShelle had no one waiting for her in Los Angeles. She didnt even know how shed get there from San Francisco. She was scared to death. And alone.

Margot had never experienced that kind of fear or isolation, he realized. She was given everything she desired, sometimes even before she knew she desired it. Margot was never forced to rely on her own drive and talent.

His palms tightened on the Skylarks vinyl steering wheel as the truth hit himhis little girl died without a true passion. By trying to ensure her happiness, Bennett had kept her from lifes most basic joychasing ones own dream.

LaShelle opened Bennetts road atlas and said, We should be in Salt Lake City by six or so.

He nodded, taking a moment to swallow down the sadness. Any preference for dinner tonight? he asked.

LaShelle stared blankly out the windshield. Anything but tacos.

This time he was prepared for the attack he knew was inevitable.

First, he set the package on the hallway floor, carefully propping it up against the wall, away from the expected point of collision. Next, he set the groceries on the other side of the door. He slipped in the key, turned the knob, and raised a bent knee to the front of his body for protection.

Off!

Genghis was already sailing through the air. He bounced off Ricks shin.

Sit. Rick scowled at Josies dog, trying not to laugh while being firm.

It was difficult. The Labradoodle made him laugh every time he looked at his goofy face. Rick shook his head in wonderfor a woman who seemed so desperate for a dog grooming a few weeks ago, Josie sure hadnt been in a hurry to take him in for a trim. At this point, Genghis had the canine equivalent of dreadlocks, which only made him look funnier.

All right. Good boy. Rick bent down and rubbed behind his ear, then gave him a bite-sized dog biscuit he had in his pocket. Genghis continued to sit. He was rewarded with another biscuit.

Rick entered the apartment and smiled. It looked just like it had when he left in the middle of the nightunkempt. He could see into her bedroom, and noted that her suitcase was lying open on the floor, stuff spilling out. He hadnt even given the poor woman time to unpack, hed wanted her so badly.

Rick got the painting in safely, placing it in the center of the dining table, out of Genghiss reach. Then he put away the groceries. He got Genghiss leash on him and took him for a quick walk around the block, occasionally acknowledging the large Lexus crawling along the street next to him. Rick couldnt imagine what life would be like if, someday and somehow, Bennett Cummings was no longer a worry. Hed sure love to find out.

Rick gave Teeny a nod and a wave when he got back to the apartment.

Teeny rolled down the automatic window.

Page me when youre ready to go.

Rick nodded. Thanks, Teen.

Back in the apartment it was first things first. He went through Josies CD collection to find some inspiring tunes, and, after a brief shock at the sight of a bootleg live Clay Aiken recording, he found just the thing. Rick immediately went to work, Nat King Cole crooning from the living room.

He arranged the flowers in a nice glass vase. He sliced the tenderloin into thin strips, washed and sliced the cremini mushrooms and shallots, and rooted through Josies spice cabinet, relieved that she had tarragon and nutmeg, because hed forgotten to buy both. He started the water for the noodles.

Rick straightened the living room. His search for the perfect place to hang the painting took him into her bedroom. The sight of the disheveled bed sent a wave of heat through him. He couldnt help himselfhe buried his nose in the cool white sheets, smelling Josie and himself, their love and their sex, all blended together, like it had been all weekend.

Rick knew he was acting a fool. He was a fool in love. It was the most exhilarating experience of his life.

He decided to display the painting over the living room fireplace mantel, where Josie had hung a mirror. He would rearrange things later to her liking, but decided to go for maximum impact when she walked through the door.

He vacuumed and set the table. Then he looked at his watch and decided it was time to undress for dinner, an activity that held Genghis in rapt attention.

Ten minutes later, just as he was melting butter in a large skillet and singing,?Im happy as a king, and foolish though it may seem, to me thats everything… he heard the door open.

He didnt know who was more excitedhim or the dog.

Genghis greeted her happily at the door, along with the strains of Nat King Coles The Very Thought of You and the scent of what Josie swore was homemade beef Stroganoff. This could mean only one thing: Her mother had moved in. Now wouldnt that be the perfect end to a perfect day?

Welcome home, baby.