In the afternoon I drank heavily.

How are you feeling today? Today? I'm feeling fine. Why shouldn't I be? I've had enough to drink and maybe I'll have just one more and let it go for a few hours. Have you forgotten that nasty business of the past few days? Forgotten it? I haven't thought of any of it. Was it important? No, not very important. Finish that drink. It looks like a nice day today and you should go out and get some fresh air. Alright, then.

I looked around the house for my jacket and put it on. I went outside, locked and bolted the door.

At the bottom of the steps of my apartment building there was a woman. I started to walk by her and she pulled on my shoulder. She said something I didn't understand.

"No, thank you," I said. I started to walk away but she followed me.

"Please, wait," she said.

Do you know this woman? I don't know. Maybe. I didn't get a good look at her face. Well, take a step closer and look at her. Alright. Well, I still don't know. What the hell difference does it make? I don't want to talk to her anyway.

"Who are you?" I asked.

She spoke slowly. "Sister Mary Ross. You know me. Look at my face. Do you remember?"

I leaned closer in. Well, what do you think? I don't know. Maybe. She's sort of familiar but I'm feeling a bit drunk right now and I could be wrong. How about the name? Do you remember that? What was the name again? Sister Mary Ross. Oh, that's right. No, no, I don't think so. But then nothing's impossible.

"I don't know."

I turned my head and continued to walk. The girl kept pace and walked alongside me.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I don't know."

What's she getting at? What does she want from you? I don't know. I'm starting to feel damn uncomfortable walking around here.

"Do you want something to eat?" she asked.

"I'm not hungry."

I went around the corner and she followed me. I'm starting to feel a little nervous now. What if she won't leave me alone? Relax. She's just a girl. What's she possibly going to do? I don't know. I just wanted to come outside for a little fresh air and now I've got this person who won't leave me alone. Can't she see I just want to be by myself? Well, tell her to go away. Do you think it will work? Maybe.

"Please, leave me alone. Please."

She pulled on my arm and stopped me. "Your sister is very worried about you, Tom."

No. That's not what she just said. I may be drunk and stupid but that isn't what she just said. It couldn't be. Pull yourself together.

"How do you know Adelade?"

"She sent me to see you."

Now I know she's lying. Nobody knows where I live now. They couldn't. Is it possible? The lawyer knew. Who the hell is the lawyer? Think back for a second. There was a man who came to visit you a couple days ago. He came to your house. I don't remember. The lawyer knows your address. I don't remember. You've got to remember. If the lawyer knows your address anyone can know where you live. Even this girl. Even Adelade.

"You're lying."

"No," she said. "She wanted to make sure you were okay."

Impossible. It just isn't possible. Why not? Because I haven't spoken to her in years. She doesn't know where I am. For all she knows I'm buried and dead somewhere. But you're not, are you? No, I'm not.

"She's in the city," the girl said. "She's been trying to get in touch with you."

Well, what do you think? I don't know. First thing is first. Do you know the girl or not? Her face looks familiar, I told you that. I can't remember things too well. You know her, then. You've met her before or you wouldn't recognize her. Alright, I know her. So what does that mean? It means you should trust her. Why? Just because her face looks familiar? That's as good a reason as any.

"Do you want to see her?"

To hell with it. I'll go.

"Alright."

"Come with me, then."

I followed her down the sidewalk and uptown.