terrible imitation of what they'd been till last Sunday. Dave sat down on the arm of the divan and glanced at the corner. Only the chalk outline was gone. Ann stood smoking in the middle of the room with her arms folded. Her slim fingers held the lighted end up to keep ashes from falling on the freshly mopped floor. She pursed her lips and shook her head,

Dave, this place can't be fixed unless we start from scratch. It would have. to be complete. You're going to move in with me. My place isn't big but we

can.

"No. I'm staying here."

"You can't, darling. It would be awful for you."

"I don't expect it to be a circus."

All right, then. I'll move in here with you."

"That would be awful for you."

"I know, but you never have been much of a circus yourself. But I keep hoping."

No, Ann, I don't think you'd like it." "But I want to now

that I can."

"You never did understand why I didn't want to live with you. You thought it was Joe."

"No, not really."

"Yes, you did. But it had nothing to do with him or this place or anything except not wanting to get involved and complicated."

"I know that and I understand."

"Oh, it doesn't matter."

Yes, it does because I do want to come live with you."

"Because you feel sorry for me?"

"Because I feel you might change your mind about me now."

"I'm not romantic, Ann. You can move in if you want to but just remember I'm not romantic. You're still on your own.”

"I know that."

"It puts you in a pretty pathetic position,"

"Dave Holland, never use that word about me again EVER."

"Look, do you think it's fun feeling like a dirty dog?"

"I have my problem and that's yours."

"I don't think it'll work."

"I do. Let's give it a try. All right?"

"... Okay."

She went to him, sat on the divan beside him and began unbuttoning his shirt. He let her pull it out all around then slip it off. When her hands touched his belt, he got up, yawned and arched his big chest far out. Her eyes followed him as he went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She watched awhile through the open door then went into the bedroom.

In the dark she said, "Do you think the police have any leads at all?” "I thought you didn't want to talk about it."

"I don't but you do. Have they?"

"None they let me in on. Oh, they must have some all right but it's a question what they'll do."

"Dave, you know, this will be another one that just fades away."

"I know it. They all say it served him right. Little Joe was a problem that solved itself. Your hands are cold."

"Silly, I'm trying to warm them."

Ann, are you sure you want to live here?"

"Positive. Let me fix it up?"

"I don't care."

"Darling, you're just never EAGER about anything! You always just shrug and let other people do the deciding. How can you be so fierce and strong and yet just let things HAPPEN to you!"

"Not always." Then he swore without passion in a monotonous whisper. After a long silence, he turned on his side toward her warm hands.

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