There was something odd in the way she said it. She stood there, her long neck and blond hair.

— What is it, darling?

She said nothing for a moment. Then she said,

— I want a give.

— All right, I said.

I don’t know why, I felt nervous.

— What would you like?

— I want you to stop it with Des, she said.

— Stop it? Stop what?

My heart was skipping.

— Stop the sex, she said.

I knew she was going to say it. I had hoped something else, and the words were like a thick curtain tumbling down or a plate smashing on the floor.