Ruth Sadelle Alderson

I only did what you wanted me to.
--Judas, Jesus Christ Superstar

"I'm going to die," he said reasonably one evening. I'd thought he was praying.

"We all die," I said irritably.

"I will die," he said. "You have to engineer it."

I was outraged. "Me? I will not cause your death."

"You will. You must."

"Why me?"

"I love you." He stared past me. "Don't tell me how."

"Why not?"

"It has to be a true betrayal." He looked directly at me, almost through me. "Betray me."