Mrs. Natalie Brabant nosed into the shopping bag, finding leather, and a book of poems. "What's this?"

"Just... a birthday gift. For a friend. From work." He works the day shift now.

She smiled and kissed his hair, as he had once so often kissed hers. But she knew then, knew for sure, that he was having an affair.

They meet in the dark, where else?

Nick's hands are rough enough for bruises, but not strong enough anymore. In a narrow hallway embraces turn to struggles. Devouring.

And then they go inside and play chess, or duets.

Piano and rebec.