Much later, muscle cramps woke her up and forced her to lie down. She noticed that the light under the kitchen door was out. She pulled the covers over her shoulders, wondering what time it was. In a moment, all was silence again. “Laura?” It was Marcie, whispering. Laura sat up with a start. “Yes? Marcie, are you all right?” “I’m all right.” “Is he gone?” “Yes. For the time being.” “Oh. What time is it?” “About three.” “You shouldn’t stay up so late. You have to go to work in the morning.” There was a little silence. “Laura?” “Yes?” “Were you ever in love?” Laura felt a terrible wave of emotion come up in her throat. What a damnable time, what a damnable way, to ask such a question! She was defenseless against her feeling in the soft black night, with the soft voice of a lovely girl asking her, “Were you ever in love?” For a while she tried to keep her mouth clamped shut. But Marcie asked her again and she was undone. “Were you, Laura?” “Yes,” she whispered. “What was it like?” “Oh, God, Marcie—it was so long ago—it was so complicated. I don’t know what it was like.” “Was it good?” “It was awful.” Marcie turned over in bed at this, raising herself on her elbows. “Wasn’t it good sometimes? Now and then?” “Now and then—” Laura whispered, “it was paradise. But most of the time it was hell.” “Did—did he love you? As much, I mean?” Laura pressed her hands to her mouth, not trusting herself for a minute. Then she whispered, “No.” “Oh, I’m sorry.” Marcie’s voice was warm with sympathy. “Men are such bastards, aren’t they?” “Yes. They are.” After a moment of thought Marcie said, “Burr likes you.” “I’m glad.” She couldn’t stand to talk any more. “Goodnight, Marcie.” “Goodnight, Laura.” Marcie sounded a little disappointed. But she said nothing more and in a minute Laura heard her roll over and fall asleep. Laura did not sleep again that night. Chapter Three If Laura and Marcie went along together on greased wheels, Marcie and Burr did nothing of the kind. There was never anything real to argue about. But Burr couldn’t pick up a book or clear his throat or make a suggestion without causing a disagreement. And he was as quick to snap at his ex-wife. The only times they weren’t shouting at each other, they were kissing each other. “You probably wonder why we keep seeing each other when we fight like this,” Marcie said to her one night. “Do you love each other?” “I don’t know—Yes.” “Then I guess it doesn’t matter if you fight.” “I hope it doesn’t drive you nuts.” “No, not at all.” Laura wouldn’t even look up from her book. Marcie embarrassed her with these confidences. But she couldn’t go on reading. She stared at the page and waited for Marcie to continue. Marcie couldn’t keep a secret. Things poured out of her, even intimate things, even things that belonged to her private soul and should have stayed there. Laura squirmed to hear her sometimes.