Part 106 (1/2)

was a b.a.s.t.a.r.d, P.M. thought, and began to read.

Dear P.M.,

I guess I'm supposed to say I'm sorry about your divorce, but

I'm not. I didn't like Angie. The sisters say that divorce is a sin

but I think it's a bigger one to pretend you love someone when

you don't. I hope you're happy again because when I saw you

last summer you were sad

There are lots of things in the paper about you and Bev.

Maybe I'm not supposed to talk about something like that, but I

can't help it. If you and Bev get married, I won't be mad She's

so beautiful and good you can't help it if you love her. Maybe if

she's happy with you, she won't hate me anymore. I know you're

not fighting with Dad like it says in some of the papers It would

be stupid to blame him for loving Bev if you love her, too.

I found this picture I took of you and Dad a long time ago. I

know you're going to start the new alb.u.m soon, so you can show

it to him. I hope you're happy, because I love you. Maybe I'll see

you in London this summer.

Love,

Emma

P.M. studied the picture for a long time, then slipped it inside the

folded letter, and the letter inside the envelope. Divorcing his wife

had been one thing, he realized. Divorcing his family was something

else again.

OHNNO SPENT HIS FIRST day back in New York sleeping, and his second

composing. He was living alone at the moment, and gratefully