I leaned into her and kissed her again, still a chaste, but passionate kiss. After another long minute, I felt her tense up and I broke the kiss. Rosalita started to step back, but I caught her hands as she moved them and held them for a moment as I said, "I love you, my beloved Rosalita. Goodnight."

I stepped out the door as she watched me, walking backwards to see her staring at me with those lovely dark eyes, still sadness evident in them, but maybe, maybe not as much as there had been before. When she finally closed the door, I turned and walked briskly down the sidewalk,...