Andhismindclickedach.Check...cheg..,chegin?Helookedtotheceiling.Chegihatwasit.Heclosedhiseyesandthoughtforased.No.Nothing.What,then?,dontfailnow.Think,damnit,think.NewBern.

    Thethoughtpoppedintohisheadjustthen.Yes,hatwasit.Thelittledetail,orpartofit.Whatelse,though?

    NewBerhoughtagain,ahename.Khetownalittle,mainlyfromafewtrialshehadbeenin.Stoppedthereafewtimesoothecoast.Nothingspecial.HeandAlliehadneverbeeogether.

    ButAlliehadbeentherebefore...Andtheracktightesgrip,anotherpartingtogether.

    Anotherpart..,buttherewasmore...

    Allie,NewBern...and..,and..,somethingataparty.Aentinpassing.FromAlliesmother.Hedhardlynoticedit.Butwhathadshesaid?

    AndLohen,remembering.Rememberingwhathadbeensaidsolongago.RememberingwhatAlliesmotherhadsaid.

    ItwassomethingaboutAlliebeingiimewithayoungmanfromNewBern.Calleditpuppylove.Sowhat,hehadthoughtwhenhedheardit,andhadturosmileatAllie.

    Butshehadntsmiled.Shewasangry.AndthenLonguessedthatshehadlovedthatpersonfarmoredeeplythaherhadsuggested.Maybeevenmoredeeplythanshelovedhim.Andnowshewasthere.Iing.

    Lhthispalmstogether,asthoughhewereprayiingthemagainsthislips.ce?Couldbenothing.Couldbeexactlywhatshesaid.Couldbestressandantiqueshopping.Possible.Evenprobable.

    Yet...yet…whatif?

    Lonsideredtheotherpossibility,andforthefirsttimeinalongtime,hebecamefrightened.Whatif?Whatifshewithhim?

    Hecursedthetrial,wishingitwereover.Wishinghehadgohher.Wifshedtoldhimthetruth,hopingthatshehad.