After a few days, Jim regained his composure. At first, he'd been so upset about losing Lisa so quickly after gaining her that he almost wished the whole thing had never happened. But bit by bit, he came to realize that he was very happy about it, that he had no regrets. Overall, the brief relationship had calmed him somewhat. It renewed his confidence. He realized that it was in fact possible for him to meet someone who cared about him and whom he could also care about. And this was important, as it was a fact he had often doubted in the months since Jennifer had turned him loose.
Though he still led a solitary life, he now had occasion to smile to himself, as if keeping a secret.
