“I got hard and he was there and the next thing I knew he was on his knees. I mean, I was going to step away, but he licked me.”

“He was attractive. I knew that. And I knew that attractive people always got away with things.”

“He put my fingertips to his mouth and kissed them. Licked the trace of blood away. Made them clean.Then I knew the truth I had been denying. He made me clean. Dan made me clean and shining and bright. He made me beautiful, and I did not want to lose him.”

“I took a step back."Here." He plunked his wet hat on my head. "Don't go anywhere," he told me, then turned away.”

“He turned and walked across the floor and out. I watched the door close. I listened to his steps going away down the imitation marble corridor. After a while they got faint, then they got silent. I kept on listening anyway.”

“I steeled myself for the next response. I knew it was going to be one of the Zen life lessons. [...]Instead he kissed me.”