The gym inserts a copy of daily horoscopes into a little plastic display for the active to read either on their way in or their way out. I usually pause for a moment to glance at mine on my way out, with my helmet already on, the plastic bag containing soggy clothes dropped beside me on the floor.

I didn't spend any time with women today, except for those few moments rushing past Jackie in the office. I guess it's not the time that matters though: I did bring her a card and the smallest portion of Fran's chocolate truffles one can buy, to thank her for mentioning the job - my new job - to me. Maybe that was all I needed to do.

Otherwise, I passed the day alone or in the company of men. Lunch with Bluejack at Mama's. A couple of hours at the library with Jonathan and Jaime.

I just learned Jaime's name. Before I only knew him as Slug Boy because of the funny introductions we gave the first day of class where we had to tell two truths and one lie about ourselves. He said he ate a slug once. It's true. He calls me Helen of Soy because I said I drink a glass of soy milk mixed with chocolate sauce (choco-tooyoo) every single morning. I don't remember what Jonathan said about himself. I just see his thick red hair, a fire on top of his head. His chin grows it exactly the same color. He is from NeYawk, I think he said. He is not a whiz at statistics, a fact I like. Jaime helped us both. I don't think he's from here either. As I was leaving he said, "Hey, nice jacket." Like a good hero, I said a polite thank you. A foreigner to this land, he is not acquainted with the symbolism of what he sees, but is moved enough by the display to comment anyway.

In the evening I drove up to Eric and Suzie's where I was wined, dined, and tubbed. I've not caught them up on current events and they were unaware of my present whereabouts. Over pasta and corn on the cob - a strange yet fulfilling combination - I filled them in. We drank much wine and I became giggly and overly chatty. After ice cream we piled into the tub, one naked body after the other, pausing a moment to brush the fir needles from each foot before entering, lest the filters become clogged. We talked more above the roar of boiling water. Rising steam curled my hair and moistened my cheeks. Amidst the conversation my mind drifted to the idea of a slender figure next to me there… bubbles tickling bare nipples along their journey to the surface… the latent strength of delicate man's hand on my thigh… the melee of bubbles keeping the secret.