I was the last one to leave the party. I said goodnight to Stephanie and Jared. They were already in bed. In fact, they were making love, but they stopped and thanked me for coming. Walking down Kellog Street, with the full moon lighting my way, I wondered who those people really were, and why they had invited me. I had felt like a spy all evening, absorbing useless bits of information. It’s amazing what people will tell a complete stranger. At the end of Kellog I turn right on Windsor. A woman was standing under the streetlight. She looked frightened. “Do you need help?” I said She was hesitant to speak, but finally said, “I’m lost.” “Where are you trying to go?” I asked. “Richards Street,” she said, “my aunt lives there.” “That’s not far from here,” I said. “I’ll walk you there.” And so we walked. I could tell she was still a little apprehensive. Her bus had gotten in late, and she had expected her aunt to meet her, and no one answered the phone when she tried to call her. When we got to her aunt’s house there were no lights on. I waited while she knocked on the door. She knocked harder and harder, but the aunt didn’t answer, “Listen,” I said, “I live close by. Let’s go over to my place and we can call the police. They’ll figure this thing out.” She hadn’t much choice but to agree. We walked in silence, a smooth, rich flow of it. And when she reached out and held my hand, I felt as though my life had begun.