I pulled the blanket over my shoulders to hide the glaring bald patches as I sat.
“I thought you stirred,” she said.“I didn’t mean to rouse you.”
“Of course you did.You love to torment me.”
“Ah, you’ve discovered my devious intentions.How unsubtle.”
“Nothing about you is subtle, princess.”
Instead of a round rejoinder, she offered a faint smile.
“Not going to pretend to affront?”Something had to be wrong.“Are you changing routine with me now?I may not know how to converse with you if so.”
“I have not the vibrancy today to be witty in insult,” she confessed.“Only dull enough to bray like an ass should I attempt it.I do not wish to give you such an upper hand.”
“Most strategic.Would you prefer to sit in silence then?”
She shook her head.
“No insults and no silence.You have effectively struck out our only two pastimes.Whatever do you propose we do?”
“Would you think less of me if I only wanted to talk?”
“It would be difficult to think less of you,” I assured her, “as I think so little of you already.”
“Mercy, please!I concede to your wit.You are the clear winner.”
“Somethingiswrong.You would never give up so easily.”
“I’m tired,” she said.“I have not the wherewithal.”
“It’s more than that.”
“Do stop being so perceptive.I’m peevish and out of temper, and I may cut you if pushed.”
“It is far too late for that.Have you already forgotten our first days?”
She threw her hands in the air.“Kaylay, please!”
I reached between the bars and put my hand on her skirt, presumably where her knee was.“Tell me?”
“Will you be serious?”
“Life is already so unbearable.Being serious might make me more miserable.Then you would never visit me.”
“I know.”She put her hand on top of mine.“I’m sorry.”
“An apology!Things must truly be dire.Tell me.”
“You won’t be derisive about it?”
“That depends.Is it a real problem, or did they not chill your vodka sufficiently?”
“So much worse,” she said, smiling truly this time.“The caviar was warm.”
“Oh, thatisa problem.”
“I will probably cry myself to sleep over it.”
