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me from problems, but I wanted to stay involved. Even when I rode in a car on the passenger seat, my foot kept pushing imaginary brakes when we approached a red light. I had to be in control of my care. Here, I couldn’t stay aloof. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. Want and can , two enemies. I couldn’t put Ray at risk while sitting home in comfort. No way.
    “No way,” I said.
    “That person who followed you could be here now and see you coming out.”
    “If he’s the one who lost the phone, he’s going to meet you. I can change my appearance and get a taxi. We can think of something.
    “Change your appearance. How are you going to change your appearance?”
    “I don’t know. I’ll think of something.”
    “Damn, you’re so beautiful.”
    I raised my eyebrows.
    Ray took the glasses from me, put them on the table, and pulled me to himself.
    “We have plenty of time,” he whispered, pressing his lips against mine. I had drunk only one glass of wine, but my legs became weak; so did my whole body.

CHAPTER 7

    We found lots of women’s clothes in the closet. Even though Ray’s friend wasn’t married, he shared the apartment with somebody. The size was medium and mine was small, but I tied up a blue jacket with a belt and the bagginess did change my look. I found a blue, silk scarf and hid my hair under it, and my eyes under Ray’s sunglasses. He put a green baseball hat on and we went outside looking like two morons, but it would help us get a taxi and drive to a meeting place without being chased.
    We didn’t talk in the car, but held hands and constantly checked the back window, fearing we might miss a “spy”. This time, no one followed us relentlessly. I remembered about my boss, or actually, she remembered about me, and I told her I was going to miss a day. A day. That was how long I thought it was going to be. I said I had stomach problems and my head editor, Eleanor, always loud when expressing her emotions, told me how sorry she was and offered to come and bring some medication. I felt a little guilty, as often happened in situations like this, but only a little. My guilt was gone by the time we reached the meeting place.
    At home, we agreed that I would stay on the same plaza, but in a coffee shop across from the meeting spot. From there, I could see the store in which Ray was going to wait for the stranger who wanted to get his phone back. I promised to stay put, without removing my glasses or the scarf, waiting for Ray to come and get me or give me a sign to join him. We entered the coffee shop together and then Ray went to the store on the opposite side of the strip. But first he kissed me and then lifted my glasses, looked into my eyes, and said that everything was going to be just fine. Also, he apologized.
    “Why?” I asked.
    “I don’t want to destroy your life.”
    “Why do you think that’s going to happen?”
    He hugged me, pressed me to his chest. I noticed an older couple. The woman smiled, looking at us.
    “I don’t know. I just thought that you lived your quiet life, planned your future, and here … me.”
    “And here, you.” I put my head on his chest. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
    He kissed my head.
    “Everything will be fine,” he whispered, and let me go. I didn’t want him to leave. Even here in the shop, with a bunch of strangers staring at us, I didn’t care. I wanted to chain him to myself, so he wouldn’t get lost.
    I watched his receding, wide back, his slightly waddled walk, and prayed for him to return quickly. At that moment, I wasn’t interested in a person who followed me or in the phone with messages about me. I prayed for Ray to come back, that was all.
    When he stopped by the door of the inside farmer’s market, I leaned on the table.
    “You’re such a beautiful couple,” the older woman said.
    “Thank you.” I looked out the window. Ray checked his watch, glanced in my direction, and turned away.
    “Would you like