But he had been having a long affair with Nan, a married mother of an adopted daughter and two natural sons. They met once every two or three months when he was on a business trip. Often he would spend nights with her, but sometimes he just had enough time for a dinner as had happened hours earlier. Each time he came for a visit, he respected her and did his best to help her with whatever she asked. But he just wouldn’t touch her unless she wanted to be touched. He was absolutely controlled. Nothing could move him out of his shell unless he moved himself out of that shell. He was an old tortoise. His soul was untouchable. Even after they had known each other for seven years, he was still that mysterious to her.