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He grinned and brushed back the light-brolick over his brow “Of course not,” he said I thought I saw a glireen eyes Unspoken desires?

“I can offer you dinner I hope you like leftover ai pan”

“But ill you have?”

I shrugged “I don’t know Bread and water, maybe?”

Duvall went to the kitchen and opened the frig “You’ve got eggs I see cheese and ham I’ll make us omelets”

“Duvall, you don’t have to cook—”

“Shut up Sit down Let me handle this”

I sat at the breakfast bar, answering occasional questions about the location of ic in the kitchen While the eggs sizzled, he grated the cheese, shredded soreen pepper fro I kept in the produce drawer He diced thes over the filling The place smelled heavenly

As he toiled, I described the events of the past week and a half in greater detail, noting how much Little D had helped

“He didn’t tell me about Tina,” I said “But I understand his reasons”

“I told you he has his oay of doing things, didn’t I?” Duvall said “You can count on hih”

As he slid the omelets onto plates, I said, “That stove will need a vacation It’s not used to working that hard”

“I should bodyguard you more often”

“Thanks for dinner And thanks for co shaky”

“Don’t worry,” he said He placed his hand onit, but didn’t “I’m here for you”