His eyes on mine across the table, his thoughts already in my bed. My heart is ready, but: a paper bound the two of them before she died, and it binds us not; the church’s blessing on their coupling blesses not ours. But if he’s fulfilled again, he must do it soon, for he’ll be not able long, and a second paper’s not like hers, not from only youth and passion, devoid of assets, heirs and such. To go where she would never go, or hold the truths I’ve always held: a legal tie or one of love, a complication or a joy.