I can do nothing but hate him now for reneging on the promises he gave me. Not that they were ever spoken promises, because he never spoke a word of love—that would be much too silly. I guess I expected more from him—or, after all the time I’d been owned, I wanted more, and more was something Arthur Manning couldn’t give. Since Arthur, I’ve decided that geniuses and madmen are the same.
Intermission
Atlanta Cole was rushing from the office as Miss Lourdes was coming up the stairs.
“Oh, dear, what a bad time for you to come.”
“I was hoping…” she said.
“I’m afraid the entire office is closing early today, and we’re all in a hurry to leave.”
“About the manuscript,” the redhead Miss Lourdes rushed to make her point, “I’d like to withdraw it from consideration.”
Atlanta stopped short, ri
