“Not in so many words, Mother. She just said you quarreled, and I got the idea. She sounds pretty unhappy about things.” Laura covered her face, her elbows resting on the table. “She knew, Jack. She knew all along that I was gay,” she whispered brokenly. “She and Burr had a bet that she could make me make a pass at her.” After a long silence Jack squeezed her arm and said gently, “You had to learn. Now you know. We all go through it sooner or later.” He looked up at Terry and found the boy staring at him, his eyes full. He looked away, confused, turning his attention back to Laura. “She wants to see you. She means it.” “I know. But I couldn’t stand to see her. Even talk to her. It would be hell.” “I know what you mean.” Jack got up and poured himself another cup of coffee, saving himself a half inch in the cup for a jigger of whiskey. “It’s not even ten o’clock yet,” Terry reproached him. “Shut up and drink your milk,” Jack said and smiled at him. “I’d better call the office,” Laura ventured quietly. “I did,” Jack told her. “You’re fired. They were damn nice about it, though. Dr. Hollingsworth wants you to come in and talk to him. Sarah gave me the pitch. It seems they admire your brains but they figure your nerves are loused up. I suggest, Mother, that you see my analyst.” “I can’t afford it.” “Neither can I.” Jack laughed. “Let’s put Terry to work,” he said to Laura. “It’s time he earned his own way.” “Doing what?” Terry said. “I don’t know. What are you good for? Anything?” “I can cook.” Terry grinned. “Good. I know a Greasy Spoon two blocks from here.” “Oh, hell!” “Jack,” Laura said suddenly. “Does Beth know I’m all right?” “Beth?” Jack frowned at her. “You mean Beebo, doll.” “I mean Beebo,” Laura said quickly, growing hot. “She knows.” “Did you tell her when I disappeared?” “She looked all over the Village for you. She was worried.” “Do you think she’d talk to me?” “No.” “Oh, Jack.” She turned an unhappy face to him, pleading for a chance to hope. “She might say ‘goodby’ to you. Or ‘go to hell’. Don’t expect miracles.” “I guess I haven’t any right to her friendship any more.” But it suddenly seemed terribly important; the most important thing in the world. “Not as long as you get her mixed up with Beth.” “Oh, that was just a slip of the tongue.” Jack stood up and paced across the kitchen. He turned, resting his rump on the counter by the sink, and parked his coffee cup next to him. “Laura,” he said seriously. “You fell in love with a girl named Beth once. You told me that. Then you and Beth broke up and Beth married somebody and quit school. And then you ran away from home. And you came to New York, and every damn female you met reminded you of Beth.” “Oh, no—” Laura began, but he held up a hand to silence her. “Now listen to me, damn it! I’m beginning to wonder if you were running away from your father or from Beth.” “Jack!” Laura stood up and faced him, her temper rising.