e rented a place in Oakland. Still there,
I'm pretty sure."

"Are you in touch?"

"Not really. She's got a new life. It would confuse the kids. I worry
about them sometimes. Not Constanza, she's strong, good looking--she'll
do fine. But the kids--I used to take Esperanza to school on a bike,
pulled her behind me on a little cart." He looked at Arthur and shook
his head. "Maybe later on, when I get ahead a little bit."

"They're better off for what you did."

"I hope so. I guess so." He held up his glass. "Another?"

"Let's get something to eat," Arthur said. Penn pulled out his wallet.
"On me," Arthur said.

"Good man. You got something to write on?" He took a worn business card
from his wallet and copied into Arthur's notebook an address written on
the back of the card. And the names: Constanza, Sergio, Consuela, and
Esperanza. "It's a hell of a favor to ask," he said, but could you
check up on them sometime, for me." His voice dropped. "See if they
need anything?" He looked up helplessly.

"I will."

It was as close as they had come to acknowledging the bond between
them. Arthur took a deep breath. "How will I reach you?"

"I'll look you up at the university--you'll be there, adding to the
body of scientific knowledge."

"I suppose so," Arthur said. "Trying anyway."

"Good old Art, slow and steady wins the race."

They had a couple of steaks, split a Caesar salad, and drank wine while
they talked about old times and the state of the world. Penn explained
craps and convinced Arthur to try his luck. People who play with me get
the rolls, he told Arthur. They bought two hundred dollars worth of
chips. Penn insisted that Arthur place the bet, but they waited until
the dice were passed to a middle-aged blonde. "She's lucky," Penn said.

The dice skittered and rolled to a seven. Loud cheers. Arthur was forty
dollars richer. They played for nearly an hour. Arthur was instructed
to bet lightly unless Lucky was throwing. He was six hundred dollars
ahead when the food and drink and the long day began to get to him.
"Time to turn in," he told Penn.

"Where you staying?"

"Harrah's."

"How about coffee in the morning?" They arranged to meet in the caf