He again wandered out to the veranda. His wet underwear had begun to chafe, and after some reflection, he retrieved his towel inside, undressed once more, and hung his shorts on the branch of a tree, hoping the breeze would dry them before the long ride home. Then he resumed his place in the hot tub. The moon had risen fully and foamed over the ravine, full of tricks and magic. All his troubles waited for him in the city in the daylight. For just this instant, watching the wisps wraith off the water, he was free.
It was only a few minutes before he heard the screen door bang. “There you are.” Her voice in the dark came from somewhere behind him. He turned in one direction, then the other, and still did not see her. “I thought you’d left until I saw the car. How long was I asleep?”
About five hours, he told her.
“Oh God.” Sonny was at the corner of the porch, keeping her distance in an effort to be discreet. “I’m so sorry. What did you do with Sam all that time? Did you feed him?”
Stern described their activities. . . .
Gradually she had approached. She was now a few feet from the tub and took the last few steps at once. She stooped a bit and her hand lingered in the dark water....