Angelica's Grotto

38 Numbers

Still the same evening. ‘Now, then,’ said Melissa. ‘We were going to talk numbers.’

‘“Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself,”’ said Klein.

‘What the hell’s that about?’

‘That’s from Deuteronomy, it comes after Numbers. It just popped into my head, I’ve no idea why.’

‘What you’ve been eating is still very much alive, Prof. What is it with you, post-cunnilingual depression?’

‘It’s not exactly depression — it’s just that every now and then I wonder how I came to be where I am.’

‘You mean where you are with me?’

‘With you, with everything.’

‘I notice that it happens after your treat rather than before.’

Watching her mouth and her steady blue eyes as she spoke, Klein thought that mercy was not a big part of her makeup. ‘Don’t you ever wonder about that?’ he said. ‘Don’t you ever wonder how you came to be where you are and doing what you’re doing?’

‘I know how I came to be where I am and doing what I’m doing. But for now I’m wondering if you intend to put your money where your mouth is — which might not be the best choice of words. Is you is or is you ain’t my sponsor? is what I’m trying to say.’

‘Hannelore and I had in mind to travel on some of the money from the sale of that painting.’

‘Who’s Hannelore?’

‘My wife. She’s been dead for a long time.’

‘Great. I’m deeply moved. I’m so moved that I think it’s time for me to go. Let me know when you’re ready to talk seriously about money. Otherwise stop rattling my cage.’

‘Are you in a cage, Melissa?’

‘I’m out of here, Prof.’ There was a rush of air as she picked up her shoulder bag and made her exit, slamming the door behind her. Klein listened to the sound of her heels receding into the night.

He looked again at the Sphinx drawing, the picture and the figure both divided diagonally into light and dark. From the obscurity of her face her hidden eyes looked back at him.