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“You’re avoiding my question”

“I don’t know I don’t remember Maybe”

“How can you not know?”

“That’s a stupid question,” Ian said, crossing his arms across his chest “I’m sorry, it just is”

“How could you just…”

“Just what? Have a life before Iabout the past What exactly do you want me to do about it now? Do you have a time machine?”

“No”

“Well, then shut up”

Ian tightened his jaw and turned to face theThey rode the rest of the way hoot back into the house, Ian went iing the bowls and pans as he went Paul sat in the living rooorous chopping When the noise had died down sufficiently, Paul went into the kitchen Ian was standing at the stove with his back to the door, browning ha pan He didn’t turn around

Paul leaned against the door frame “I’m sorry,” he said

Ian kept right on pushing the food around with the spatula

“Look at me,” Paul said

Ian turned There were tears on his cheeks

“You’re crying,” Paul said

“It’s the onions,” Ian said, wiping his cheek with the back of his hand He turned back to the haer