'How is he?' she said.
'He's asleep,' I said.
'Hard to imagine him tired,' she said.
She looked at the pictures spread out on the counter.
'Who are those awful men?' she said.
'Ukrainian mob,' I said. 'The ones Hawk will be looking for when he's not tired.'
'Ick,' Susan said. 'Can you help me with the bags?'
I put the photos and paperwork back in the envelope and put the envelope away. I picked up the two shopping bags and put them on the counter.
'Could I have a glass of orange vodka?' Susan said.
'Straight up,' I said. 'No ice.'
'With a slice of orange,' she said.
'You eat and drink like no one else I know.'
'I like warm orange vodka,' she said.
'My point exactly,' I said.
I got her drink while she unpacked the bags. Bread, cheese, cold chicken, fruit, and two bottles of Riesling. I gave her the warm vodka, and she sipped it as she arranged the food on a couple of good platters that she had insisted I buy.
'Can he eat and drink?' Susan said.
'He's permitted to,' I said. 'But he doesn't have much interest in it yet.'
She nodded. I made myself a scotch and soda in a tall glass with a lot of ice. We sat at my counter and had our drinks together.
'You're on the couch?' Susan said.
'Yes.'
'Do I remember correctly?' Susan said. 'Were we on that couch the first time we ever made love.'
'I think so,' I said. 'At least that's where we started. I remember you burst into applause afterwards.'
'Are you sure?' she said.
'You said I should get an award for sustained excellence.'
'I'm pretty sure I didn't say that,' Susan said.
'What did you say then?'
'I think I said, 'Never touch me again, you lout.' '
'Maybe,' I said. 'But you didn't mean it.'
Hawk came out of my bedroom, barefoot, wearing jeans and a T-shirt. His face was still damp from washing.
'Did we wake you?' Susan said.
'I sleep about twenty hours a day,' Hawk said. 'Anything wakes me up is good.'
'Can you eat anything?'
'Maybe sip a drink,' Hawk said. 'What you drinking?'
'Orange vodka,' Susan said. 'Up with a slice.'
'Up?'
'Yes.'
'Warm orange vodka?'
'Yes.'
'Jesus, girl,' Hawk said.
He looked at my drink.
'Gimme one of those,' he said.
I made him one and he eased onto a stool at the counter.
'Would you be more comfortable on the couch?' Susan said.
'Too hard to get up.'
'We could help you,' Susan said.
Hawk looked at her balefully.
'Or not,' Susan said.
