Alan's mocking words hit hard, underlining the complete disaster their evening had been. Lorraine had never felt so lonely and so miserable. She wanted to hurt Alan as he had hurt her.

"Why don't you leave me alone," she said harshly. "Haven't you done enough damage, enough to keep you supplied with after-dinner stories until you're an old man? You've had your little joke. Now go!"

She watched him walk away--the man she loved as she knew she'd never love another!