They slept in the Davises’ living room.

Eddie curled up next to Laura on the carpet, but she turned and pushed him away with her leg.

“Laur,” he whispered. “It was a dumb thing to tell them.” Then he said, “I don’t know why I said it. Come on, Laur.”

“Now they know,” she said into the carpet.

“You have to conserve your strength, though.”

“So?”

“Being angry takes up energy.” When she was silent, he said, “I need you to be strong. We have to forgive each other.” He stroked her hair until she was breathing lightly again. “I’m sorry. Really. I didn’t mean to.

“Laura,” he whispered. “Laur …”