"How long this time?" She furrowed her brow.

"A month." He replied.

She sighed. "Again." She turned from where she had stood face to face with him, and walked to the kitchen and sat at the table.

He looked at his feet as she looked at her own. "I have to pack. Call me later." She nodded; he left.

***

"Hello?" His voice was gruff, his tone short.

The one word nearly killed her excitement. Nearly. "Hi."

"Hey. Listen, I'm going to be busy all day tomorrow setting up, but I'll call you from the hotel the day after."

"Which hotel?"

"I don't know yet. They'll tell me when we get out of the airport."

"You know, I don't--"

"I gotta go. I'll miss you. Bye." A click and then silence.

She hung up the phone.

3am

One ring stirred her, but she rolled over and went back to sleep. The second ring opened her eyes reluctantly. Just after the third her hand found the receiver. "Hello?"

"Hey, I know it's late but I wanted to talk to you."

"Do you know what time it is here?"

"Of course I do. It's only a 3 hour difference."

"Well, what time is it?" She yawned.

"Midnight. I just got off--"

"Here or there?"

"Here."

"What time is it here?"

"There it must be 3."

"Three! Why-- I can't talk now. I have stuff to do tomorrow."

"I know. I'm sorry about the late hour. I just wanted to talk to you. I haven't been available much and--"

"E-mail me." She dropped the receiver.