It was easier the other way." He rose. "I need a beer. Do you want one?" "Sure," she said. He used his time in the kitchen to regain his control. He was pissed off at himself for telling Julia so much, but in an odd way, it was a relief to share it with someone. He pulled two beers out of the refrigerator, popped the tops, and took the bottles back to the living room. Julia was on her feet, gazing at some of the framed photographs on his walls. "This is your work, too?" she asked, taking a beer from his hand. "Yes. Why do you sound surprised?" She waved her hand toward the colorful garden landscape. "I didn't take you for a flower guy." "I have my moments," he said with a smile. "I took those shots when I was in college. I was just figuring out how to use my cameras. When I moved in here, I needed to put something on the walls, and I figured the women I brought home would like 'em." She smiled back at him, and the somber mood between them lightened.
