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Show 386 his car. He drove to the beach and walked barefoot on cold sand for an hour, until he felt better, and then drove home. He climbed the stairs to his room, hearing groans in the walls on either side of the staircase and an enigmatic shuffle behind the door where he had seen the puffy face. He stayed awake hearing sounds of furniture being moved around downstairs and tried to remember what movie he had gone to. He thought about Sorenson and his horny girl friend. He wondered if being horny for a long time was bad for your health. * * * * * * In the morning he remembered Gloriana's ten dollars and walked down to the grocery store on the corner. There was a heavy smog alert, and the sunlight had a gassy lavender glow to it. He waited until the black woman wearing a turban was through with the phone outside the doorway and called Gloriana's number. It was Saturday; someone ought to be home. Floyd answered, but it was no more than he expected. "Hi, I wonder if Gloriana is there," Lorin said. He felt as though he were holding his voice between two fingers. "No. You want to leave a message?" Lorin thought about mentioning the ten dollars but decided that since he forgave her there was no point in stirring the waters. "Do you know what time she'll be back?" "No. Who is this? Mark?" "Actually no. My name is Lorin Hood, but you probably don't remember me, it was a long time ago." "Who?" "I guess just tell her Lorin called. It isn't anything important. |