ON THE EVENING of the third day, several hours after I'd returned from my visit to Ben Bugger's sickroom, Robin called. I'd been lying around, watching TV, had switched off the set as the tag line for the six o'clock news blared, and poured myself a triple Chivas.
Grinning anchorman. Overlays of familiar faces.
Professor arrested in coed's death
I'd taken a swallow, was listening to the whiskey whisper in my throat when the phone rang.
Hi, it's me.
Hi, you.
You all right
Serene.
Guess where I was today?" she said.
The zoo
Silence. "How'd you know that
With San Diego, my first association is always the zoo.
Well, that's where I was.
You and the dentist
Me, myself. The dentist has a boyfriend, and they went down to Tijuana for the day. Invited me but...
Abandoned," I said. "Sorry. So how're the animals
Fine— I can't believe you guessed the zoo.
Blind luck.
Or no one knows me like you do.
I don't know about that.
Come join me down here," she said. "I'll rent us a room at the Del Coronado.
When?" I said.
The sooner the better— You don't want to do it. You're angry at me.
No," I said. "Everything you said was true. I've been trying to process.
It was true but, still, I walked out on you— It hit me, walking around the zoo, alone. How did I do that? Talk about abandonment. Will you come, Alex? Meet me at the hotel
What about Spike
Debby's got a little Peke, and she and Spike are fast friends.
Till he steals her food," I said.
Alex
It'll take me a couple of hours. You're sure you want this
How can we work things out if we're not together? If I react by ... what does Milo call it—rabbiting
San Diego," I said.
I know it's not Paris, but . . . would you rather I come back home? I can go back to Debby's place and pack up my stuff.
No," I said. "I'll be down there soon as I can.
I'll arrange everything at the Del Coronado. Meet me up in the room— I love you, baby. Love you so much.
Even if I am crazy.
Even if.
I locked up the house, was nearly at the door when I changed my mind.
Returning to my office, I booted up the computer, fooled around for a while until I found an on-line travel service. Did some comparison shopping and purchased two nonstop tickets to Paris.
