the last book I ever read (The Visiting Privilege: New and Collected Stories by Joy Williams, excerpt two)

from The Visiting Privilege: New and Collected Stories by Joy Williams:

That night, the house was quiet. Constance lay behind Ben on their bed and nuzzled his hair. “Talk to me,” Constance said.

“That’s just alliteration,” Constance said. “Talk to me some more.” But Ben didn’t say much more.

“William Gass said that lovers are alike as lightbulbs,” Ben said. “That’s just alliteration,” Constance said. “Talk to me some more.” But Ben didn’t say much more.