“Take it, for Chrissake. I didn’t poison it or anything.”

Ginnie accepted the sandwich half. “Well, thank you very much,” she said.

“It’s chicken,” he said, standing over her, watching her. “Bought it last night in a goddam delicatessen.”

“It looks very good.”

“Well, eat it, then.”

Ginnie took a bite.

“Good, huh?”

Ginnie swallowed with difficulty. “Very,” she said.

Selena’s brother nodded. He looked absently around the room, scratching the pit of his chest. “Well, I guess I better get dressed…. Jesus! There’s the bell. Take it easy, now!” He was gone.

Left alone, Ginnie looked around, without getting up, for a good place to throw out or hide the sandwich. She heard someone coming through the foyer. She put the sandwich into her polo-coat pocket.