Sid gone. I began to paint the details of my face. In the self portrait. Working quickly.

Tina arrived. Looked pale. Gave her some slides to catalog.

In my studio, I stared at the work for a while. Then cleaned the brushes.

Went back to Tina to see how things going. She was crying. Asked her what the matter was.

She had had an abortion the day before, she told me.

"What are you doing here? Go home and rest."

But she shook her head. "Mom and Dad keep looking at me. I can't take it."

"They know?"

"Yes, I told them."

___________