Luis's breathing was heavy and he seemed to be trying to contain his sadness, but his voice was hoarse. He whispered in her ear, "Have you ever... Loved me?"

Tears welled up in Grace's eyes. She wiped it away, perversely controlling her emotions and trying to sound calm. Against her will she spat out: "No."

Luis was shaken, his body still like a statue. For a long time, his arms around Grace began to loosen.

Grace stepped out of his arms, took a breath, smiled, and said easily, "Goodbye, Luis,"

Then she lifted her feet away from him, step by step. Tears like broken beads kept flowing, but she bit...