The Second Coming

her?
    â€œThe fence . . . the cave . . .” His voice seemed to be inside her head.
    The finger stopped touching and the hand opened wide, palm up, like a man shrugging. The lightning was getting louder and she was thinking, is it good or bad that the greenhouse has a metal frame? Perhaps good what with the finials sticking up like lightning rods when crackOW ithit. A ball of light rolled toward them down the center aisle of the greenhouse as lazily as a ball of yarn. The dog, lip hung on his tooth, eyed it in outrage and walked stiffly away. “Jesus Christ,” she said. “Let’s—” And hushed because he wasn’t listening.
    He held her close. Again as her body came against him, she felt her eyes smiling and going away. Ha, she said to herself, maybe he didn’t find what he was looking for but I did. Ha. Maybe I ‘m nuts and he’s not but I know now what I want. Ha. Kelso, guess what. I did it like you said. I broke out and found my place and “fell in love” and inherited a million dollars. Maybe sixty million, and I don’t care if it’s sixty cents. Guess what. I am in love. Ah ha, so this is what it is, this “being in love.” This is what I want. This him. Him. The money is nice but love is above. Yes yes. Kelso honey, I’m coming back for you. You are going to help me raise hydroponic beans.
    Lightning struck again. The glass house glittered like a diamond trapping light. Jesus, she thought, doesn’t he know we could get killed? But he was humming a tune—the Trout?—and keeping time with his finger on her shoulder.
    The lightning was going away. “What’s going to happen now?” she asked him.
    â€œNow? I’m going home now.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do, then?”
    â€œWhat is expected of me. Take care of people who need taking care of. I have to see how my daughter is. I have an obligation to her. I have not been a good father. Then we’ll see.
    â€œAm I one of those people you’re going to take care of?”
    â€œYes.” He sat up. “I’m hungry.”
    â€œMe too.” Juices spurted in her mouth. “I bought some steaks.”
    He didn’t seem surprised. She put her marine jacket on. He lay quietly, watching her while she cooked. She didn’t mind feeling his eyes on her back and her bare legs. She went outside, to get the beer. It didn’t matter that it was cold and raining and she was barefoot.
    The steaks were good. But he ate absently, as if they were in a restaurant and the steaks were no more or less than he expected. The rain stopped. It was still dark when he left. She didn’t know what time it was.
    She could not have said how long she stood in the doorway thinking of nothing, listening to the dripping rhododendrons, which were like large brooding presences stooping toward her—when he came back.
    He was different. They stood, the candle between them. She didn’t want to look at him.
    â€œI forgot to tell you something. I will be your legal guardian if that is what you and your parents want. That will involve a fiduciary relationship which I will discharge faithfully, in your interest and to the best of my ability.”
    â€œIs that all?”
    â€œIsn’t that enough?”
    â€œIs it enough for you?”
    â€œMe?”
    â€œWhy do you sound so tired?”
    â€œMe? It is not an interesting subject. At least not to me. The subject is closed, if not disclosed,” he said, smiling.
    â€œHa.”
    â€œThank you for taking care of me.” He held out his hand. She did not take it. She hung her head like a mountain girl.
    She did not seem to notice his leaving and stood thinking of nothing until it occurred to her that the dog hadn’t been fed. It was pleasant to think of the dog’s pleasure as she gathered up the steak scraps.

II
    THE RAIN HAD STOPPED but it was still dark when he reached the Mercedes. He did not realize he was cold until he tried to unlock the door. His hand began to shake. Then, as if it had been given permission, his whole body began to shake. He opened the door. The courtesy lights came on. He looked at his watch. It was four o’clock. After he got under the wheel and closed the door, he waited for the lights to go out. The courtesy lights stayed on long enough to allow the driver to insert his key in the ignition. While the light was on, he was aware of a slight compulsion to