Pale Kings and Princes

'You pulled it off,' she said. 'You probably are the greatest hero since Elijah whosis.'

'Also the greatest lover,' I said.

'I have no first-hand information on Elijah,' Susan said. 'But you sure as hell will do.'

We both drank a little wine and looked at each other over the rims of the wineglasses and our eyes held and I could feel the richness and the force and the permanence.

'Forever,' I said.

'And then we'll see,' Susan said, and put out her hand and I held it across the table.