Volcano is setting you up!' But Esperanza insisted. She helped me to my feet and by then the police showed up and the moment was over. The crowd dispersed pretty easily."
Big Cyndi threw up her thick arms and smiled. "The end."
Myron smiled back. "So that's how you two became tag team partners?"
"That's how. When the president of FLOW heard about the incident, he decided to capitalize on it. The rest, as they say, is history."
They both sat back in silence, still smiling. After some time had passed, Myron said, "I had my heart broken six years ago."
Big Cyndi nodded. "By Jessica, right?"
"Right. I walked in on her with another man. A guy named Doug." He paused. He could not believe he was telling her this. And it still hurt. After all this time it still hurt. "Jessica left me then. Isn't that weird? I didn't throw her out. She just left. We didn't speak for four years- until she came back and we started up again. But you know about that."
Big Cyndi made a face. "Esperanza hates Jessica."
"Yeah, I know. She doesn't exactly go to pains to hide that fact."
"She calls her Queen Bitch."
"When she's in a good mood," Myron said. "But that's why. Up until we broke up that first time, she was more or less indifferent. But after that-"
"Esperanza doesn't forgive easily," Big Cyndi said. "Not when it comes to her friends."
"Right. Anyway, I was devastated. Win was no help. When it comes to matters of the heart, well, it's like explaining Mozart to a deaf man. So about a week after Jess left me, I moped into the office. Esperanza had two airplane tickets in her hand. 'We're going away,' she said. 'Where?' I asked. 'Don't worry about it,' she said.? already called your folks. I told them we'd be gone for a week.'" Myron smiled. "My parents love Esperanza."
"That should tell you something," Big Cyndi said.
"I told her I didn't have any clothes. She pointed to two suitcases on the floor.? bought you all you'll need.' I protested, but I didn't have much left, and you know Es-peranza."
"Stubborn," Big Cyndi said.
"To put it mildly. You know where she took me?"
Big Cyndi smiled. "On a cruise. Esperanza told me about it."
"Right. One of those big new ships with four hundred meals a day. And she made me go to every dumb activity. I even made a wallet. We drank. We danced. We played friggin' bingo. We slept in the same bed and she held me and we never so much as kissed."
They sat for another long moment, both smiling again.
"We never asked her for help," Big Cyndi said. "Esperanza just knows and does the right thing."
"And now it's our turn," Myron said.
"Yes."
"She's still hiding something from me."
Big Cyndi nodded. "I know."
"Do you know what it is?"
"No," she said.
Myron leaned back. "We'll save her anyway," he said.
At eight o'clock Win called down to Myron's office. "Meet me at the apartment in an hour. I have a surprise for you."
"I'm not much in the mood for surprises, Win."
Click.
Great. He tried FJ's office again. No answer. He didn't much like waiting. FJ was a key in all this, he was sure of it now. But what choice did he have? It was getting late anyway. Better to go home and be surprised by whatever Win had in store and then get some rest.
The subway was still crowded at eight-thirty; the so-called Manhattan rush hour had grown to more like five or six. People worked too hard, Myron decided. He got off and walked to the Dakota. The same doorman was there. He had been given instructions to let Myron in at any time, that indeed Myron was now officially a resident of the Dakota, but the doorman still made a face like there was a bad odor whenever he passed.
Myron took the elevator up, fumbled for his key, and opened the door.
"Win?"
"He's not here."
Myron turned. Terese Collins gave him a small smile.
"Surprise," she said.
He gaped. "You left the island?"
Terese glanced in a nearby mirror, then back at him. "Apparently."
"But-"
"Not now."
She stepped toward him and they embraced. He kissed her. They fumbled with buttons and zippers and snaps. Neither one spoke. They made it into the bedroom, and then they made love.
When it was over, they clung to each other, the sheets tangled and binding them close together. Myron rested his cheek against her soft breast, hearing her heartbeat. Her chest was hitching a bit, and he knew that she was