(Excerpt)

They landed in Taipei, and Wanda and Memphis walked around the airport holding hands like high school lovers.

They found a café and sat at a high bar table for two, facing each other. They ordered lightly, and Wanda’s mood changed.

She said, “Memphis, I, too, have something I need to share about myself, and I hope you still like me after I do.”

Okay, he said, and he took one of her hands in his.

You’re not trans, are you?

Wanda laughed and hit him playfully, NO she said as forcefully as she could.

So, to be clear, there is not, nor has there ever been, a penis attached to your body?

She smacked him again and shut down his world with an incredible look of pouting.

She had a sense of humor, he had to give her that, she said, You keep talking like that, and you will never find out.

Got it, no pee pee. I am sorry. I am all ears. What would you like to tell me, Wanda?

She continued, “I have read your book.”

What? Really? That is quite a coincidence! I hope you liked it. You are not looking for a refund, are you?

She ignored everything he said and continued, “The reason I read it was that in Warsaw, I was an account executive at a commodities trading firm. There, I met a Russian man who became my lover. In time, he became very abusive, and I learned he was part of a Russian Crime Syndicate.

I was trapped. I became his property. He would hit me, rape me, and then parade me around like I was some sort of prized possession. Then, I read your book, stole almost $5 million in crypto from him, and disappeared. Your book, your words, your ideas, saved my fucking life.

I am so sorry you had to live through that. I hate people like that. Are you okay now, Wanda?

I am better, but to be honest, I cannot believe I am sitting here in Taipei with the man who wrote that book.

I am a tad north of shocked myself. Any chance this makes you, my groupie?

Most likely, you have some gratitude coming your way.