---

He came inside and I closed the door and we stood in my small dark room with the rain against the window and looked at each other.

"You drove three hours," I said.

"I know."

"In the rain."

"Lily."

"I'm just noting it."

"Can I talk?" he said. "I have things I need to say and I practiced them in the car and I'd like to say them before I lose the nerve."

I sat on the edge of my bed and looked up at him and waited.

He ran a hand through his wet hair. Sat down beside me. Looked at his hands for a moment and then...