" No answer was required. HiBailey

re she would watch television for hours. He planned his evening. Another
drinkmaybe twoas many as it took. Then sleeping pills. They would not talk again that
evening.
Chapter Sixteen
Summer was backmore summery than it had been in high season. Barbara carried her
jacket as she walked through a small park in downtown Eugenepast the large fountain that
never erupted but oozed water silently in a never-ending flow over a concrete lipdown to a
catch basinback up a center pipe to start all over againforever.
Every bench was taken by people eating sandwicheseating yogurtdrinking juice. She had
forgotten all this. She used to come out here toofor lunch.
The Park Bar and Grill was new. She couldn't remember what used to be in the space
another restaurantthe name gonereplaced; the new one had been decorated to look old
older than the one it had shouldered out of the way.
There were booths with high backsdark tables with softly polished woodnothing flashy
nothing to suggest newness.
Small lamps with Tiffany-type shadesa long bar with brass and leather stoolsa dimness
that was invitingall newbut very familiaras if the decorator had copied the same pictures
that Barbara had seen off and on for most of her life.
Bailey Novell waved from a booth. Few people were in the restaurant; it was half an hour
before the real luncheon crowd would gather. She had suggested the early time. She wanted
to be seatedto have their orders in before Tony showed upif he showed up. There were no
familiar faces among the half dozen other patronsbutshe thoughtthat might change as
soon as the regulars arrived.
Hi. How's it going?
Bailey asked; it was the same sort of question as "Hot enough for
you?" No answer was required.
HiBailey; let's trade places she said. Bailey was in the seat facing the door.
Without comment he got up and they switched. She motioned to a waiter nike shox experience, who came over
instantly to take their orders. Bailey was watching her with more