her?”
        “Something like what?”
        “Would you have interceded and tried to head me off so you could get her attention?”
        “You mean divert her away from you so I could talk to her?”
        “Yeah.”
        What was this about? “I don’t think so.”
        “Are you sure?” He was accusatory, like an angry bear awoken out of hibernation, surly and suspicious. “You don’t think you would have said something?”
        I was at a loss. “I don’t think so. What would I have said?”
        “I don’t know. Something. Maybe started talking to charm her to divert her away from me.”
        I squinted into the phone. “I don’t think so. Why would I have done that?”
        “Because you could.”
        I was suddenly uncomfortable. His dark mood and strong conviction made me wonder if he had somehow tapped into a subliminal reality about me. Or was everything skewed by alcohol and cognitive distortions?
        “Kyle, I don’t think I would have said anything. I’m not sure what we’re even talking about here, but if you had talked to her that day, I would have just sat there and minded my own business.”
        He was quiet for a beat. “I think you would have said something.”
        This was getting old. “Okay. You think I would have said something. Is that why you didn’t say anything?”
        “Maybe.”
        “So, what you’re saying is that by my being there with you that day, I screwed things up for you. I ruined your one big chance.”
        He was unfazed. “Maybe.”
        I took a deep breath. My anger was rising but I was worried too, not because I feared Kyle but because I feared losing this fragile friendship. I heard myself pleading.
        “Kyle, I was barely even aware of that woman that day. I wouldn’t have given her a second thought if you hadn’t brought her to my attention. And to tell you the truth, she really didn’t do anything for me. She was very attractive but not my type.”
        “Are you sure?”
        I was getting impatient. “Yes, I’m sure.”
        “If she was your type, do you think you would have said