“Excuse me, but where do you think you’re going?” I asked.“I figured I’d put my underwear in with yours. That way they could all get to know each other.” One brown eyebrow lifted. “Unless you want to make some formal introductions right now?”

“You know, you still owe me pancakes. I think I could go for…apple cinnamon ones now. ““Apple cinnamon? You sure are demanding.”“It’s all right. I think you’re man enough for it.”“Thetis, if I actually believed you had either apples or cinnamon in your kitchen, I’d make them for you right now.”I didn’t answer. I was pretty sure I had some year-old Apple Jacks, but that was about it.”

“Bottom line, Eliza— you’re my home and my family, and I don’t want to lose you.I could lose everything else, and as long as I still had you and a guitar I know I’d be all right. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“Right now, I wish I’d stayed because I want you at my side. That sounds pretty selfish, but I don’t mean it that way. You just never needed me that way; I said it to you once as I was leaving—that you love me, but you don’t need me. You don’t lean. But I admire that about you, and I could use some of your strength right now.”

“All that matters to me is the man in front of me right now. (Tory)I’m not a man, Soteria. (Acheron)I know. But if you think your godhood excuses you from putting the toilet seat down, think again. (Tory)”

“See, Don, I have this question, and I hope you’ll be honest with me.”He pulled at the end of his eyebrow. “I think you know you can count on my honesty.”“Can I?” I asked with an edge. “All right, then tell me: How long have you been fucking me?”That caused him to stop tugging his brow. “I don’t know what you’re saying—”“Because if I was going to fuck you,” I interrupted, “I’d get a bottle of gin, some Frank Sinatra music…and a crash cart for the heart attack you’d have. But you, Don, you’ve been fucking me for years now, and I haven’t gotten any liquor, music, flowers,candy, or anything!”