,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #c ,PEOPLE 3 ,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS ,TEXT 3 ,*APT] ,?REE ,P,A,T,R,I,C,E & ,CA!R9E >E HAV+ !IR BREAKFA/ ON ! T]RACE1 9 ! SUN4 ,CA!R9E IS 9 H] BA?+-SUIT1 ! ,BOY1 AS ,M]SAULT'S FRI5DS CALL HIM1 ! ,BOY IS 9 HIS %ORTS1 A NAPK9 >\ND HIS NECK4 ,!Y >E EAT+ SALT$ TOMATOES1 POTATO SALAD1 HONEY1 & HUGE AM\NTS ( FRUIT4 ,!Y KEEP ! PEA*ES ON ICE1 & LICK ! T9Y DROPS :I* HAVE CONGEAL$ ON ! VELVETY SK9S4 ,!Y ALSO MAKE GRAPE-JUICE1 :I* !Y DR9K ) !IR FACES TIPP$ T[>DS ! SUN 9 ORD] TO GET A TAN -- AT LEA/ ! ,BOY DOES1 = HE KN[S A SUNTAN BECOMES HIM4 ',TA/E ! SUN1' ,PATRICE SAID1 HOLD+ \T HIS >M TO ,CA!R9E4 ,%E LICK$ HIS >M4 ',YES1' %E SAID1 ',N[ Y\4' ,HE TA/$ TOO1 !N /RET*$1 & /ROK$ HIS RIBS4 ,CA!R9E SPRAWL$ ON H] /OMA* & PULL$ H] BA?+-SUIT D[N TO H] HIPS4 ',I'M NOT 9DEC5T1 AM ,I8' ',NO1' ! ,BOY SAID1 NOT LOOK+4 ,! SUN /REAM$ D[N1 L+]+ OV] HIS FACE4 ,! MOI/ PORES ABSORB$ ?IS FIRE :I* %EA!D HIS BODY & PUT HIM TO SLEEP4 ,CA!R9E DR[N$ 9 ! SUN1 SI<$1 & MOAN$3 ',OH1 IT'S GOOD4' ',YES1' ! ,BOY SAID4 ,! H\SE P]*$ ON A HILLTOP ) A VIEW ( ! BAY4 ,IT WAS KN[N 9 ! NEI BEL[1 A NAMELESS 5]GY GA!R$ UP ! WE$S1 ! GRASS & ! SUN1 SWEPT ON ! P9ES & ! CYPRESSES1 ! DU/Y OLIVE-TREES & ! EUCALYPTUS TO ! V]Y WALLS ( ! H\SE4 ,ACCORD+ TO ! SEASON1 :ITE DOG-ROSES & MIMOSA BLOOM$ AT ! HE>T ( ?IS (F]+1 OR ! K9D ( HONEYSUCKLE ?AT SPREAD ITS FRAGRANCE OV] ! WALLS ON SUMM] NINIVAL ( COLORS & LI CONT\R4 ,H]E NO-ONE COMPLA9$ ( ! /EEP PA? OR ( EXHAU/ION4 ,EV]YONE HAD HIS JOY TO CONQU]1 EV]Y DAY4 ,LIV+ ABOVE ! WORLD1 EA* DISCOV]$ HIS [N WEIK5 ) ! DAY1 ! NIE ( A PRES5CE :I* WAS AT ONCE A JUDGE & A JU/IFICATION AMONG !M4 ,! WORLD1 H]E1 BECAME A P]SONAGE1 C\NT$ AMONG ?OSE FROM :OM ADVICE IS GLADLY TAK51 ?OSE 9 :OM EQUILIBRIUM HAD NOT KILL$ LOVE4 ,!Y CALL$ ! WORLD TO WITNESS3 ',! WORLD & ,I1' ,PATRICE W\LD SAY AB\T NO?+ 9 P>TICUL>1 'WE DISAPPROVE ( Y\4' ,CA!R9E1 = :OM BE+ NAK$ MEANT RIDD+ H]SELF ( 9HIBITIONS1 TOOK ADVANTAGE ( ! ,BOY'S ABS5CES TO UNDRESS ON ! T]RACE4 ,& AFT] /AY+ \T TO WAT* ! SKY'S COLORS *ANGE1 %E ANN\NC$ AT D9N] ) A K9D ( S5SUAL PRIDE3 ',I WAS NAK$ 9 FRONT ( ! WORLD4' ',YES1' ,PATRICE SAID SCORNFULLY1 'WOM5 NATURALLY PREF] !IR IDEAS TO !IR S5SATIONS4' ,!N ,CA!R9E PROTE/$3 %E LOA!D BE+ AN 9TELLECTUAL4 ,& ,ROSE & ,CLAIRE 9 *ORUS3 ',%UT UP1 ,CA!R9E1 Y\'RE WRONG4' ,= IT WAS UND]/OOD ?AT ,CA!R9E WAS ALWAYS WRONG1 BE+ ! ONE ! O!RS W]E FOND ( 9 ! SAME WAY4 ,%E HAD A SLUGGI%1 TOA/-COLOR$1 DELIB]ATE BODY & AN ANIMAL 9/9CT = :AT IS ESS5TIAL4 ,NO-ONE C\LD DECIPH] BETT] ?AN ,CA!R9E ! SECRET LANGUAGE ( TREES1 ( ! SEA1 ( ! W9D4 ',?AT *ILD1' ,CLAIRE W\LD SAY1 EAT+ 9CESSANTLY1 'IS A =CE ( NATURE4' ,!N !Y W\LD ALL GO \TSIDE TO LIE 9 ! SUN1 & NO-ONE W\LD SPEAK4 ,MAN DIM9I%ES MAN'S P[]S4 ,! WORLD LEAVES !M 9TACT4 ,ROSE1 ,CLAIRE1 ,CA!R9E & ,PATRICE LIV$1 AT ! W9D[S ( !IR H\SE1 ON IMAGES & APPE>ANCES1 CONS5T$ TO A K9D ( GAME !Y PLAY$ ) EA* O!R1 RECEIV+ ) LAUT ( !MSELVES4 ,SOMETIMES ! CATS CAME TO JO9 !IR MA/]S4 ,GULA W\LD CREEP \T1 P]PETUALLY (F5D$1 A BLACK QUE/ION-M>K ) GRE5 EYES1 SL5D] & DELICATE1 SUDD5LY SEIZ$ BY A FIT ( MADNESS & P\NC+ ON %AD[S4 ',IT'S A MATT] ( GL&S1' ,ROSE SAID1 & !N %E W\LD LAU<1 SURR5D]+ TO H] LAU<1 H] EYES SQU9T+ BEH9D ! R\ND SUNGLASSES UND] H] CURLY HAIR1 UNTIL ,GULA LEAP$ 9TO H] LAP 7A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE71 & !N H] F+]S W\LD W&] OV] ! GLI/5+ FUR & ,ROSE SUBSID$1 RELAX$1 BECOM+ A CAT ) T5D] EYES1 CALM+ ! ANIMAL ) H] MILD & FRAT]NAL H&S4 ,= CATS W]E ,ROSE'S ESCAPE 9TO ! WORLD1 AS NAK$NESS WAS ,CA!R9E'S4 ,CLAIRE PREF]R$ ,CALI1 ! O!R CAT1 AS G5TLE & /UPID AS HIS DIRTY :ITE FUR1 :O LET HIMSELF BE TEAS$ = H\RS AT A TIME4 ,& ,CLAIRE1 H] ,FLOR5T9E FACE 9T5T1 W\LD FEEL H] S\L SWELL )9 H]4 ,SIL5T & )DRAWN1 %E WAS GIV5 TO SUDD5 \TBUR/S1 & HAD A SPL5DID APPETITE4 ,NOTIC+ ?AT %E WAS GA9+ WEIL+4' ,& ! DAY TURN$ FROM ! RIS+ SUN TO ! SETT+ SUN >\ND ! HILLS & OV] ! SEA1 9SIDE ! DELICATE LIANCES & PRET5D$ TO SUBMIT TO !M4 ,PATRICE PROCE$$ FROM ! FACE ( ! WORLD TO ! GRAVE & SMIL+ FACES ( ! Y\NG WOM54 ,SOMETIMES HE WAS AMAZ$ BY ?IS UNIV]SE !Y HAD CREAT$ >\ND HIM4 ,FRI5D%IP & TRU/1 SUN & :ITE H\SES1 SC>CELY-HE$$ NUANCES2 H]E FELICITIES W]E BORN 9TACT1 & HE C\LD MEASURE !IR PRECISE RESONANCE4 ,! ,H\SE ABOVE ! ,WORLD1 !Y SAID AMONG !MSELVES1 WAS NOT A H\SE ( PLEASURE1 IT WAS A H\SE ( HAPP9ESS4 ,PATRICE KNEW IT WAS TRUE :5 NI ,PATRICE1' ,ROSE ANN\NC$1 SUDD5LY APPE>+1 ',I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS = Y\4' ,! ,BOY WAS CONSCI5TI\SLY L\NG+ ON A C\* 9 ! T]RACE ROOM1 A DETECTIVE-/ORY 9 HIS H&S4 ',MY DE> ,ROSE1 ,I'M ALL E>S4' ',TODAY IS Y\R TURN 9 ! KIT*54' ',SPL5DID1' ,PATRICE SAID1 )\T MOV+4 ,ROSE /UFF$ 9TO H] /UD5T'S SAT*EL NOT ONLY ! SWEET PEPP]S = H] LUN* BUT ALSO VOLUME ?REE ( ,LAVISSE'S BOR+ ,HI/ORY & LEFT4 ,PATRICE1 :O W\LD BE COOK+ L5TILS1 LOAF$ >\ND ! BIG O*] ROOM UNTIL ELEV51 WALK+ BETWE5 ! C\*ES & ! %ELVES DECORAT$ ) GRE51 R$ & YELL[ MASKS1 T\*+ ! BEIGE-&-ORANGE CURTA9S2 !N HE QUICKLY BOIL$ ! L5TILS1 PUT SOME OIL 9 ! POT1 AN ONION TO BR[N1 A TOMATO1 A B\QUET-G>NI1 FUSS$ OV] ! /OVE & CURS$ ,GULA & ,CALI = ANN\NC+ !IR HUNG]1 DESPITE ! FACT ?AT ,ROSE HAD EXPLA9$ TO !M YE/]DAY1 ',N[ Y\ ANIMALS KN[ IT'S TOO HOT 9 ! SUMM] TO BE HUNGRY4' ,CA!R9E >RIV$ AT A QU>T] TO TWELVE1 WE>+ A LI$1 BREA?LESS FROM ! CLIMB4 ',L5TILS8 ,I KN[ ! BE/ WAY ( 444' ',I KN[ TOO3 Y\ TAKE ?ICK CREAM 444 ,WE'VE ALL LE>N$ \R LESSON1 DE> ,CLAIRE4' ,IT IS A FACT ?AT ,CLAIRE'S RECIPES ALWAYS BEGAN ) ?ICK CREAM4 ',! ,BOY IS ABSOLUTELY RIRIV$4 ',YES1' ! ,BOY AGRE$4 ',LET'S SIT D[N4' ,MEALS >E S]V$ 9 ! KIT*51 :I* LOOKS LIKE A PROP-ROOM3 !RE IS EV5 A PAD TO WRITE D[N ,ROSE'S GOOD L9ES4 ,CLAIRE SAYS3 ',WE MU/ BE *IC1 BUT WE'RE SIMPLE TOO1' & EATS H] SAUSAGE ) H] F+]S4 ,CA!R9E COMES TO TABLE DULY LATE1 DRUNK ) ! SUN1 & PLA9TIVE1 H] EYES PALE ) SLEEP4 ,!RE IS NOT 5\< VITRIOL 9 H] S\L TO DO JU/ICE TO H] (FICE -- EIE BR\ESS+ ,CA!R9E'S HAIR1 ,CLAIRE DECREES ?AT :AT ?IS '*ILD' NE$S IS A MAN4 ,= IT IS COMMON PRACTICE 9 ! ,H\SE ABOVE ! ,WORLD TO SETTLE ,CA!R9E'S FATE1 TO ATTRIBUTE C]TA9 NE$S TO H]1 & TO E/ABLI% !IR EXT5T & V>IETY4 ,( C\RSE %E PO9TS \T FROM TIME TO TIME ?AT %E'S OLD 5\<1 ETC41 BUT NO-ONE PAYS ANY ATT5TION4 ',POOR ?+1' ,ROSE SAYS1 '%E NE$S A LOV]4' ,! EV]YONE SURR5D]S TO ! SUN4 ,CA!R9E1 :O NEV] HOLDS A GRUDGE1 TELLS ! GOSSIP AB\T H] (FICE3 H[ ,MADEMOISELLE ,P]EZ1 ! TALL BLOND :O'S GETT+ M>RI$ SOON1 HAD ASK$ EV]YONE 9 ! (FICE = 9=MATION 9 ORD] TO BE PREP>$ = ! ORDEAL1 & :AT HORRIFY+ DESCRIPTIONS ! SALESM5 HAD GIV5 H]1 & ) :AT RELIEF1 BACK FROM H] HONEYMOON1 %E SMIL+LY DECL>$3 ',IT WASN'T SO BAD AS ALL ?AT4' ',%E'S ?IRTY YE>S OLD1' ,CA!R9E ADDS1 PITY+LY4 ,& ,ROSE1 OBJECT+ TO !SE (F-COLOR /ORIES3 ',ALL RI5'T JU/ GIRLS H]E4' ,AT ?IS TIME ( DAY ! MAIL-PLANE PASSES OV] ! CITY1 BE>+ ! GLORY ( ITS GLITT]+ METAL OV] L& & ?R\< ! HEAV5S4 ,IT 5T]S 9TO ! MOVEM5T ( ! BAY1 9CORPORATES ITSELF 9TO ! C\RSE ( ! WORLD1 & SUDD5LY AB&ON+ ITS FRIVOLITIES1 %E]S (F & DIVES D[N TO ! SEA1 L&+ 9 A TREM5D\S EXPLOSION ( BLUE & :ITE WAT]4 ,GULA & ,CALI LIE ON !IR SIDES1 !IR T9Y-ADD] M\?S %[+ ! P9K ( !IR PALATES1 !IR BODIES ?ROBB+ ) LU/FUL & OBSC5E DREAMS4 ,! SKY RELEASES ITS BURD5 ( SUN & COLOR4 ,EYES CLOS$1 ,CA!R9E TAKES ! LONG FALL :I* C>RIES H] DEEP 9TO H]SELF1 D[N :]E SOME ANIMAL /IRS G5TLY1 BREA?+ LIKE A GOD4 ,! NEXT ,SUNDAY1 GUE/S HAVE BE5 9VIT$4 ,IT IS ,CLAIRE'S TURN 9 ! KIT*54 ,H5CE ,ROSE HAS PEEL$ ! VEGETABLES1 SET ! TABLE2 ,CLAIRE WILL PUT ! VEGETABLES 9 ! POTS & WILL WAT* OV] ! COOK+ :ILE READ+ 9 H] ROOM1 OCCASIONALLY EM]G+ TO GLANCE UND] ! LIDS4 ,S9CE ,M9A1 ! ,>AB GIRL1 HAS NOT COME ?IS MORN+1 HAV+ LO/ H] FA!R = ! ?IRD TIME ?IS YE>1 ,ROSE HAS ALSO CLEAN$ ! H\SE4 ,! FIR/ GUE/ >RIVES3 ,ELIANE1 :OM ,M]SAULT CALLS ! ,IDEALI/4 ',:Y8' ,ELIANE ASKS4 ',BECAUSE :5 Y\ HE> SOME?+ TRUE ?AT UPSETS Y\1 Y\ SAY1 0?AT'S TRUE1 BUT IT'S NOT GOOD04' ,ELIANE HAS A GOOD HE>T1 & %E ?9KS %E LOOKS LIKE ,! ,MAN ) A ,GLOVE1 ?\< NO-ONE ELSE DOES4 ,BUT H] ROOM IS L9$ ) REPRODUCTIONS ( ,! ,MAN ) ! ,GLOVE4 ,ELIANE IS /UDY+ SOME?+ OR O!R1 & ! FIR/ TIME %E CAME TO ! ,H\SE ABOVE ! ,WORLD1 %E ANN\NC$ ?AT %E WAS 5*ANT$ BY ! 9HABITANTS' 'LACK ( 9HIBITIONS'4 ,9 TIME1 %E HAS F\ND ?IS LESS CONV5I5T4 ,A LACK ( 9HIBITIONS MEANS TELL+ H] ?AT H] /ORIES >E A BORE1 OR DECL>+ -- QUITE AMIABLY -- AS SOON AS ! FIR/ WORDS >E \T ( H] M\?3 ',ELIANE1 Y\'RE JU/ AN IDIOT4' ,:5 ,ELIANE COMES 9TO ! KIT*5 ) ,NOEL1 ! SECOND GUE/ & A SCULPTOR BY PR(ESSION1 %E /UMBLES OV] ,CA!R9E1 :O NEV] DOES ANY?+ 9 A NORMAL POSITION4 ,N[ %E'S LY+ ON H] BACK1 EAT+ GRAPES ) ONE H& & ) ! O!R SETT+ AB\T A MAYONNAISE ?AT IS /ILL ?94 ,ROSE1 9 A HUGE BLUE APRON1 IS ADMIR+ ,GULA'S P]SPICACITY -- ! CAT HAS JUMP$ TO ! %ELF TO EAT ! DESS]T4 ',NO D\BT AB\T IT1' ,ROSE SAYS BLISSFULLY1 '?AT CREATURE HAS A M9D ( H] [N4' ',YES1' ,CA!R9E SAYS1 '%E'S \TDONE H]SELF TODAY1' ADD+ ?AT 9 ! MORN+ ,GULA1 ) MORE ( A M9D ?AN EV]1 HAD BROK5 ! LITTLE GRE5 LAMP & A VASE AS WELL4 ,ELIANE & ,NOEL1 D\BTLESS TOO W9D$ TO EXPRESS !IR DISGU/1 DECIDE TO TAKE A SEAT NO-ONE HAS DREAM$ ( (F]+ !M4 ,CLAIRE >RIVES1 FRI5DLY & LANGUOR\S1 %AKES H&S & TA/ES ! B\ILLABAISSE SIMM]+ ON ! /OVE4 ,%E DECIDES !Y CAN />T4 ,BUT TODAY ,PATRICE IS LATE4 ,!N HE APPE>S & EXPLA9S 9 GREAT DETAIL TO ,ELIANE ?AT HE IS 9 A GOOD MOOD BECAUSE ! GIRLS 9 ! /REET >E SO PRETTY4 ,! HOT SEASON IS JU/ BEG9N+1 BUT ALREADY ! FIRM BODIES >E BEG9N+ TO BE REVEAL$ BY ! LIPETS & A REFRIG]ATOR4 ,:5 ,NOEL REPLIES BY 5C\RAG+ ,ROSE TO PRAY = HIM TO W9 ! LOTT]Y1 ,ROSE BECOMES QUITE REALI/IC3 ',WE MIRI$4 ,CA!R9E TELLS H] ?AT IT'S MORE URG5T1 :5 9 LOVE1 TO MAKE LOVE1 A MAT]IALISM ?AT CONVULSES ,ELIANE4 ,ROSE1 ! PRAGMATI/1 W\LD APPROVE 'IF UN=TUNATELY EXP]I5CE DID NOT %[ ?AT M>RIAGE DISSOLVES LOVE'4 ,BUT ,ELIANE & ,CA!R9E =CE !IR OP9IONS 9TO OPPOSITION & BECOME UNFAIR1 AS ANYONE ) SPIRIT FEELS OBLIG$ TO DO4 ,NOEL1 :O ?9KS 9 %APES & 9 CLAY1 BELIEVES 9 ,WOMAN1 9 *ILDR51 & 9 ! PATRI>*AL TRU? ( A CONCRETE & S5SU\S LIFE4 ,!N ,ROSE1 EXASP]AT$ BEYOND 5DURANCE BY ! \TCRY RAIS$ BY ,ELIANE & ,CA!R9E1 PRET5DS TO UND]/&1 SUDD5LY1 ! REASONS = ,NOEL'S FREQU5T VISITS4 ',I WANT TO ?ANK Y\ N[1' %E SAYS1 '?\< ,I F9D IT DIFFICULT TO TELL Y\ H[ MU* ?IS DISCOV]Y OV]:ELMS ME4 ,I'LL SPEAK TO MY FA!R TOMORR[ AB\T 0\R0 PROJECT1 & Y\ Y\RSELF MAY APPLY TO HIM 9 A FEW DAYS4' ',BUT 444' ,NOELS SAYS1 = ,NOEL DOESN'T QUITE FOLL[4 ',OH1' ,ROSE SAYS1 ) TREM5D\S 5]GY1 ',I KN[4 ,I UND]/& )\T Y\R HAV+ TO SPEAK A WORD3 Y\'RE ! K9D ( MAN :O CAN HOLD HIS TONGUE & LET O!R PEOPLE GUESS :AT HE'S ?9K+4 ,BUT ,I'M GLAD Y\'VE DECL>$ Y\RSELF AT LA/1 = ! P]SI/5CE ( Y\R ATT5TIONS WAS BEG9N+ TO SULLY ! PURITY ( MY REPUTATION4' ,NOEL1 VAGUELY AMUS$1 & ALSO VAGUELY AL>M$1 DECL>ES HIMSELF DELIETTE1 '?AT Y\'LL HAVE TO ACT QUICKLY4 ,ROSE'S CONDITION OBLIGES Y\ TO TAKE C]TA9 /EPS PROMPTLY4' ',:AT8' ',OH HEAV5S1' ,CLAIRE SAYS1 'IT'S ONLY H] SECOND MON?4' ',BESIDES1' ,ROSE ADDS T5D]LY & P]SUASIVELY1 'Y\'VE REA*$ ! AGE :5 Y\ 5JOY F9D+ Y\R [N FACE 9 ANO!R MAN'S *ILD4' ,NOEL FR[NS1 & ,CLAIRE SAYS GOOD-NATUR$LY3 ',IT'S ONLY A JOKE4 ,JU/ PLAY ALONG ) IT1 ,NOEL1 & LET'S GO 9SIDE4' ,AT :I* PO9T1 ! DISCUSSION ( PR9CIPLES COMES TO AN 5D4 ,NONE!LESS ,ROSE1 :O DOES H] GOOD DE$S 9 SECRET1 SPEAKS AFFECTIONATELY TO ,ELIANE4 ,9 ! BIG ROOM1 ,PATRICE SITS AT ! W9D[1 ,CLAIRE LEANS AGA9/ ! TABLE1 & ,CA!R9E IS LY+ ON ! FLOOR4 ,! O!RS >E ON ! C\*4 ,!RE IS A HEAVY MI/ OV] ! CITY & ! H>BOR1 BUT ! TUGS GO AB\T !IR WORK1 & !IR DEEP HOOTS RISE TO ! ,H\SE ON GU/S ( T> & FI%1 ! WORLD ( BLACK & R$ HULLS1 ( RU/Y AN*ORS & *A9S /ICKY ) SEAWE$ WAK5+ D[N BEL[4 ,AS ALWAYS1 ! /RONG1 FRAT]NAL SUMMONS ( A LIFE ( MANY EF=TS TEMPTS EV]YONE4 ,ELIANE SAYS TO ,ROSE SADLY3 ',!N Y\'RE JU/ LIKE ME4' ',NO1' ,ROSE ANSW]S1 ',I'M M]ELY TRY+ TO BE HAPPY -- AS HAPPY AS POSSIBLE4' ',& LOVE ISN'T ! ONLY WAY1' ,PATRICE SAYS1 )\T TURN+ >\ND4 ,HE IS V]Y FOND ( ,ELIANE1 & AFRAID HE HAS HURT H] FEEL+S JU/ N[4 ,BUT HE UND]/&S ,ROSE & H] ?IR/ = HAPP9ESS4 ',A M$IOCRE IDEAL1' ,ELIANE DECL>ES4 ',I DON'T KN[ IF IT'S M$IOCRE1 BUT IT'S A HEAL?Y ONE4 ,& ?AT 444' ,PATRICE BREAKS (F4 ,ROSE CLOSES H] EYES4 ,GULA HAS JUMP$ 9TO H] LAP1 & BY SL[LY C>ESS+ ! CAT'S SKULL & BACK1 ,ROSE ANTICIPATES ?AT SECRET M>RIAGE 9 :I* ! SQU9T+ CAT & ! MOTIONLESS WOMAN WILL SEE ! SAME UNIV]SE \T ( ! SAME HALF-CLOS$ EYES4 ,EV]YONE MUSES1 BETWE5 ! LONG CALLS ( ! TUG4 ,ROSE LETS ,GULA'S PURR+ RISE )9 H]1 />T+ FROM ! COIL$ BEA/ 9 ! HOLL[ ( H] BODY4 ,! HEAT PRESSES ON H] EYES & IMM]SES H] 9 A SIL5CE 9HABIT$ BY ! ?ROBB+ ( H] [N BLOOD4 ,! CATS SLEEP = DAYS AT A TIME & MAKE LOVE FROM ! FIR/ /> UNTIL DAWN4 ,!IR PLEASURES >E FI]CE1 & !IR SLEEP IMP5ETRABLE4 ,& !IR KN[ ?AT ! BODY HAS A S\L 9 :I* ! S\L HAS NO P>T4 ',YES1' ,ROSE SAYS1 OP5+ H] EYES1 'TO BE AS HAPPY AS POSSIBLE4' ,M]SAULT WAS ?9K+ AB\T ,LUCI5NE ,RAYNAL4 ,:5 HE HAD SAID ?AT ! WOM5 9 ! /REETS W]E PRETTY1 HE MEANT ?AT ONE WOMAN 9 P>TICUL> WAS PRETTY4 ,HE HAD MET H] AT A FRI5D'S H\SE4 ,A WEEK BE=E !Y HAD GONE \T TOGE!R1 & HAV+ NO?+ TO DO1 HAD /ROLL$ ALONG ! H>BOR B\LEV>DS1 ALL ONE F9E HOT MORN+4 ,LUCI5NE HAD NOT OP5$ H] M\?1 & AS HE WALK$ H] HOME ,M]SAULT WAS />TL$ TO F9D HIMSELF SQUEEZ+ H] H& A LONG TIME & SMIL+ AT H]4 ,%E WAS QUITE TALL & WAS WE>+ NO HAT -- ONLY A :ITE L95 DRESS & S&ALS4 ,ON ! B\LEV>DS !Y HAD WALK$ 9TO A SLIM COBBLES1 BRAC+ H]SELF ) EA* /EP AGA9/ ! W9D4 ,AS %E DID SO1 H] DRESS BECAME PA/$ AGA9/ H] BODY1 \TL9+ H] SMOO?1 CURV+ BELLY4 ,) H] BLOND H] PULL$ BACK1 H] SMALL /RAI? & ORGANIZ$ ! WORLD >\ND H] MOVEM5TS4 ,AS H] BAG SWAY$ FROM H] RI? BUT WAS AB\T TO TAKE (F -- & AT ?AT MOM5T %E SEEM$ TO ,PATRICE TO W$ H] GE/URES TO ! WORLD4 ,IT WAS !N ?AT HE EXP]I5C$ ! MY/]I\S H>MONY :I* MAT*$ HIS GE/URES ) ,LUCI5NE'S 444 ,!Y WALK$ WELL TOGE!R1 & IT WAS NO EF=T = HIM TO KEEP 9 /EP ) H]4 ,D\BTLESS ?IS H>MONY WAS FACILITAT$ BY ,LUCI5NE'S FLAT %OES4 ,BUT ALL ! SAME1 !RE WAS SOME?+ 9 !IR RESPECTIVE /RIDES :I* W]E SIMIL> 9 BO? L5G? & FLEXIBILITY4 ,M]SAULT NOTIC$ ,LUCI5NE'S SIL5CE & ! CLOS$ EXPRESSION ( H] FACE2 HE DECID$ %E WAS PROBABLY NOT V]Y 9TELLIG5T1 & ?AT PLEAS$ HIM4 ,!RE IS SOME?+ DIV9E 9 M9DLESS BEAUTY1 & ,M]SAULT WAS P>TICUL>LY RESPONSIVE TO IT4 ,ALL ( ?IS MADE HIM L+] OV] ,LUCI5NE'S H& :5 HE SAID GOODBYE1 MADE HIM SEE H] AGA91 9VIT+ H] TO TAKE LONG WALKS AT ! SAME SIL5T PACE1 (F]+ !IR TANN$ FACES TO ! SUN OR ! />S1 SWIMM+ TOGE!R & MAT*+ !IR GE/URES & !IR /RIDES )\T EX*ANG+ ANY?+ BUT ! PRES5CE ( !IR BODIES4 ,& !N LA/ NI & OV]:ELM+ MIRACLE ON ,LUCI5NE'S LIPS4 ,UNTIL !N1 :AT MOV$ HIM HAD BE5 H] WAY ( CL++ TO HIS CLO!S1 ( FOLL[+ HIM1 ( TAK+ HIS >M -- H] AB&ONM5T & H] TRU/ ?AT T\*$ HIM AS A MAN4 ,H] SIL5CE1 TOO1 BY :I* %E PUT ALL ( H]SELF 9TO EA* MOM5T>Y GE/URE & EMPHASIZ$ H] RESEMBLANCE TO ! CATS1 A RESEMBLANCE TO :I* HE ALREADY [$ ! GRAVITY *>ACT]IZ+ ALL H] ACTIONS4 ,YE/]DAY1 AFT] D9N]1 !Y HAD /ROLL$ TOGE!R ON ! DOCKS4 ,!Y HAD /OPP$ AGA9/ ! RAMP LEAD+ UP TO ! B\LEV>D1 & ,LUCI5NE HAD PRESS$ AGA9/ ,M]SAULT4 ,9 ! D>KNESS1 HE FELT UND] HIS F+]S ! COOL PROM95T *EEKBONES & ! W>M LIPS :I* OP5$ UND] HIS PRESSURES4 ,!N !RE WAS SOME?+ LIKE A GREAT CRY )9 HIM1 AB/RACT$ YET >D5T4 ,FROM ! />RY NIM1 DEEP BREEZE ?AT ROSE FROM ! H>BOR1 HE DREW ! ?IR/ ( ?IS W>M SPR+1 ! LIMITLESS LONG+ TO SEIZE FROM !SE VIBRANT LIPS ALL ! MEAN+ ( ?AT 9HUMAN & DORMANT WORLD1 LIKE A SIL5CE 5CLOS$ 9 H] M\?4 ,HE B5T OV] H]1 & IT WAS AS IF HE HAD RE/$ HIS LIPS ON A BIRD4 ,LUCI5NE MOAN$4 ,HE NIBBL$ H] LIPS1 & SUCK$ 9 ?AT W>M? :I* TRANSPORT$ HIM AS IF HE HAD EMBRAC$ ! WORLD 9 HIS >MS4 ,& %E CLUNG TO HIM LIKE A DR[N+ GIRL1 RIS+ AGA9 & AGA9 FROM ! DEP? 9TO :I* %E HAD SUNK1 DREW BACK & !N (F]$ HIM H] LIPS AGA91 FALL+ ONCE MORE 9TO ! COLD ABYSS ?AT 5FOLD$ H] LIKE A DIV9E OBLIVION4 444 ,BUT ,ELIANE WAS LEAV+ N[4 ,A LONG AFT]NOON ( SIL5CE & REFLECTION LAY AHEAD ( ,M]SAULT 9 HIS ROOM4 ,AT D9N]1 NO-ONE SPOKE4 ,BUT BY MUTUAL CONS5T !Y W5T \T ON TO ! T]RACE4 ,! DAYS ALWAYS 5D$ BY MELT+ 9TO ! DAYS3 FROM ! MORN+ ABOVE ! BAY1 GLI/5+ ) SUN & MI/1 TO ! MILDNESS ( ! EV5+ ABOVE ! BAY4 ,DAY BROKE OV] ! SEA & ! SUN SET BEH9D ! HILLS1 = ! SKY %[$ ONLY ! ONE ROAD1 PASS+ FROM ! SEA TO ! HILLS4 ,! WORLD SAYS ONLY ONE ?+1 IT WAK5S1 !N IT WE>IES4 ,BUT !RE ALWAYS COMES A TIME :5 IT VANQUI%ES BY M]E REPETITION & GA9S ! REW>D ( ITS [N SEV]ANCE4 ,?US ! DAYS ( ! ,H\SE ABOVE ! ,WORLD1 WOV5 ( ?AT LUXURIANT FABRIC ( LAU-/UDD$ NIAPET4 ,9 ! SKY1 NI BEL[ 9 ! H>BOR1 & ! SCREE* ( TRA9S OCCASIONALLY REA*$ !M4 ,! />S SWELL$1 !N %RANK1 VANI%$ & W]E REBORN1 DRAW+ EVANESC5T FIGURES1 CREAT+ NEW ONES MOM5T BY MOM5T4 ,9 ! SIL5CE1 ! NIS1 IT LEFT 9 !IR EYES ! SAME PLAY ( LIS CAN BR+4 ,& EA* ( !M1 PLUNG+ 9TO ! DEP?S ( ! SKY1 F\ND ?AT EXTREME PO9T :]E EV]Y?+ CO9CIDES1 ! SECRET & T5D] M$ITATION :I* CON/ITUTES ! SOLITUDE ( ONE'S LIFE4 ,CA!R9E1 SUDD5LY *OK$ ) LOVE1 C\LD ONLY SI<4 ,PATRICE1 :O FELT ?AT HIS VOICE W\LD CRACK1 NONE!LESS ASK$3 ',DON'T Y\ FEEL COLD8' ',NO1' ,ROSE SAID4 ',BESIDES1 IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL4' ,CLAIRE /OOD UP1 PUT H] H&S ON ! P>APET & HELD H] FACE UP TO ! SKY4 ,FAC+ EV]Y?+ NOBLE & ELEM5T>Y 9 ! WORLD1 %E UNIT$ H] LIFE ) H] LONG+ = LIFE1 ID5TIFI$ H] HOPES ) ! MOVEM5T ( ! />S4 ,SUDD5LY TURN+ >\ND1 %E SAID TO ,PATRICE3 ',ON GOOD DAYS1 IF Y\ TRU/ LIFE1 LIFE HAS TO ANSW] Y\4' ',YES1' ,PATRICE SAID1 )\T LOOK+ AT H]4 ,A /> FELL4 ,BEH9D IT A DI/ANT BEACON BROAD5$ 9 ! NI ! S\ND ( !IR FOOT/EPS1 !IR HEAVY BREA?+4 ,!N ! SMELL ( FL[]S REA*$ HIM4 ,! WORLD ALWAYS SAYS ! SAME ?+4 ,& 9 ?AT PATI5T TRU? :I* PROCE$S FROM /> TO /> IS E/ABLI%$ A FRE$OM :I* RELEASES US FROM \RSELVES & FROM O!RS1 AS 9 ?AT O!R PATI5T TRU? :I* PROCE$S FROM DEA? TO DEA?4 ,PATRICE1 ,CA!R9E1 ,ROSE & ,CLAIRE !N GREW AW>E ( ! HAPP9ESS BORN ( !IR AB&ONM5T TO ! WORLD4 ,IF ?IS NIVEL$ ?AT IT %\LD BE AT ONCE SO C>NAL & SO SECRET1 ?AT UPON ITS C\NT5ANCE M+L$ BO? TE>S & ! SUN4 ,& ) PA9 & JOY1 !IR HE>TS LE>N$ TO HE> ?AT D\BLE LESSON :I* LEADS TO ! HAPPY DEA?4 ,IT IS LATE N[4 ,ALREADY MIDNIS H]ALDS ! COM+ DAWN4 ,A TREMUL\S LIAPET1 H] HEAD TIPP$ BACK2 ,ROSE HUDDL$ ON ! DIVAN1 H] H&S RE/+ ON ,GULA2 ,CLAIRE /&+ /IFF AGA9/ ! P>APET1 H] HI<1 R\ND =EHEAD A :ITE PAT* 9 ! D>KNESS4 ,Y\NG CREATURES CAPABLE ( HAPP9ESS1 :O EX*ANGE !IR Y\? & KEEP !IR SECRETS4 ,HE /&S BESIDE ,CA!R9E & />ES OV] H] GLI/5+ %\LD] 9TO ! B[L ( ! SKY4 ,ROSE COMES OV] TO ! P>APET1 & ALL F\R >E FAC+ ! ,WORLD N[4 ,IT IS AS IF ! SUDD5LY COOL] DEW ( ! NIS1 !IR GE/URES >E FIX$ AGA9/ ! GREAT MUTE FACE ( ! SKY4 ,PATRICE RAISES AN >M T[>DS ! NIS 9 HIS GE/URE1 ! SEA ( ! HEAV5S /IRR$ BY HIS >M & ALL ,ALGI]S AT HIS FEET1 >\ND !M LIKE A D>K1 GLITT]+ CAPE ( JEWELS & %ELLS4 ,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 ,*RONOLOGY 3 ,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #c -- ,ADD$4 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3 HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/