I hesitated a moment, then decided it was time for a showdown and kept on walking.
She heard my steps on the cement when I was close to the little balcony which led out to the patio, the balcony on which the french windows opened. She raised a hand mirror, caught reflected motion, and whirled round, surveying me with wide eyes. She started to scream and then checked herself.
With incredulous dismay, she watched me climb the four brick stairs which led to the little balcony.
“May I come in?” I asked.
Wordlessly, as though in a hypnotic trance, she opened the french windows. “How... how did you find me?”
I said, “It took a little work. Want to talk?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think you would, but I think you’d better.”
She said, “I... I’ve been thinking of you,” and then suddenly raised her finger to her lips and motioned me to be quiet, “My sister can hear us if we talk loud,” she said. And then, with a little nervous laugh picked up a robe that was on the foot of the bed and slipped it over her shoulders. “I’m afraid,” she said, “I’m making up in scenic generosity for anything I…”
“Deprived me of last night?” I prompted.