“Can we just go?” she said. “Forget the whole thing?”

“Already?” I said “We just got here. You can still ask her.” I pointed toward the pink house. “We can just strut back in there and tell her what's up.”

“Not anymore,” Anna said.

“Sure we can.”

Anna sat up, a red mark between her eyebrows, a third eye.

“I'm over it, see!” She showed me her teeth.

“You're not,” I said.

“What. Maybe I should get all married, like you? Ball and chain?”

“Seriously?” I said.

“I would love to strut back in there. In fact, I've been strutting all over this city and where has it gotten me?” Blink. Blink.

I missed strutting. But I did not say this.

Seconds passed.

“Are you hungry?” I said. “We can get lunch.”

“No, I'm tired,” Anna said. “Let's go, okay?”

“Okay,” I said.