NahmadebreakfastforAlliewhileshesleptinthelivingroom.Ba,biscuits,andcoffee,nothiacular.Hesetthetraybesideherasshewokeup,andassoonastheyhadfiing,theymadeloveagain.Itwasrelentless,apowerfulfirmationofwhattheyhadsharedthedaybefore.Alliearchedherbadcriedoutfiercelyinthefinaltidalwaveofsensations,thenedherarmsaroundhimastheybreathedinunison,exhausted.

    Theyshoweredtogether,andafterwardAllieputonherdress,whichhaddriedht.

    ShespentthemwithNoah.TogethertheyfedClemandcheckedthewindowstomakesurenodamagehadbeehestorm.Twopireeshadblowhoughherhadcausedmuchdamage,andafewshingles屋顶板hadblownofftheshed,butotherthanthat,thepropertyhadescapedprettymuscathed.

    Heheldherhandmostofthemaalkedeasily,butsometimeshewouldstopspeakingandjuststareather.Whenhedid,shefeltasthoughsheshouldsaysomething,butnothingmeaningfulevercameintoherhead.Lostinthought,sheusuallyjustkissedhim.

    Alittlebeforenoon,NoahandAlliewentintopreparelunch.Bothofthemwerestarvingagainbecausetheyhadenmuchthedaybefore.Usingwhathehadonhand,theyfriedsomechiandbakedachofbiscuits,awoofthemateontheporch,serenaded小夜曲;情歌byamogbird.

    Whiletheywereinsidedoingthedishes,theyheardaknockatthedoor.NoahleftAlliei.

    Knockagain.

    "Iming,"Noahsaid.Knoock.Louder.Heapproachedthedoor.Knoock.

    "Iming,"hesaidagainasheopehedoor.

    "Oh,myGod."

    Hestaredforamomentatabeautifulwomaninherearlyfifties,awomanhewouldhavereizedanywhere.

    Noahcouldntspeak.

    "Hel