They were having dinner, and Eileen kept the wine flowing liberally. "You know, Jean, there's never really been any man in your life except Todd. How can you be sure that he's the true love of your life? Things look different, you knew, when you've had a few men. When you discover that many men can bring you the pleasure you've found with one… maybe even more of it."

"I've been thinking about that, Eileen. But the truth is, I'm a coward. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to make it on my own. After all, what would I do? Where would I go? I have no real skills. Even the city we live in isn't really my home. It's Todd's place really. Everything I have there is a piece of his life, whatever he decides to share with me." Her voice took on a tone of bitterness. "And it seems there's been quite a bit he hasn't been sharing with me lately."

"Well, you know you're free to stay here as long as you want, Jean. You won't even need any money. Maybe after a few weeks away, you'll discover you can live without him after all." Now that Jean was here, Eileen wasn't nearly as worried about what to do with her young lover. Her friend was so young and lovely. So dependent on her right now. Eileen's first priority became to help her friend find herself. It was the least she could do for a woman she had known since she was thirteen and Jean, ten.

Jean reached out and grasped her friend's hand. "I'm so grateful to you, Eileen. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had you to turn to. Todd and I barely even spoke to each other the last couple of days." For a moment, she felt an overwhelming instinct to sob. She laughed instead. She realized Eileen's company was good for her. "You know, I think I'm a little drunk. My emotions are going up and down like a roller coaster."