Do you want to hear about it, she asked. The doors slid shut.

I couldn't say.

There was the first ding.

No, I said. Not really.

I want to tell you about it, she said.

The second ding.

She stood next to the panel. I leaned back against the opposite corner. No others at this time of night, in this elevator, in this place.

Fine, I said. Tell me about it.

It was warm. We in our winter coats, too warm, as far as we could get away from each other in our opposite corners of the elevator.

The third ding.

I was lonely, she said. It was a long time.

I nodded.

I was cold.

The doors slid open to the night wind. Frigid. Brisk.

Do you want to hear about it, she said.