"Good enough," approved Clocker. "Thanks for the kind word."
The other board members followed and shook Clocker's hand and wished him well.
Barnes, being last, did the same and added, "You may see your wife, if you care to, before you leave."
"If I care to?" Clocker repeated. "What in hell do you think I came here for in the first place?"
Zelda was brought to him and they were left alone in a pleasant reading room. Soft music came from the walls, which glowed with enough light to read by. Zelda's lovely face was warm with emotion when she sat down beside him and put her hands in his.
"They tell me you're leaving, hon," she said.
"I made a deal, baby. If it works—well, it'll be like it was before, only better."
"I hate to see you leave. Not just for me," she added as he lit up hopefully. "I still love you, hon, but it's different now. I used to want you near me every minute. Now it's loving you without starving for you. You know what I mean?"