Too Hot to Handle by Orrie Hitt

Author:Orrie Hitt [Hitt, Orrie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2014-05-13T08:12:25+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

THE SUN was streaming through the open window when she awoke. Her head ached and she felt terrible, so sick that she could have died and been happy for it. She sat up on the edge of the bed and blinked her eyes. There was no one else in the room. Her body hurt and she was revolted as she remembered the night before. And where was Martin?

She rose from the bed and walked to the window, smelling the stale liquor as she passed the table. The air was fresh and clear outside and she breathed deeply of it. But she only stayed there a few moments. She crossed to the closet and looked inside. Nothing but empty hangers. She raced to the dresser and began pulling the drawers out. They were empty, too. Suddenly she began to cry. She had turned herself into a slut and he was gone. Desperately she hunted for the money which he had promised her, but she didn't find it. Her pocketbook, however, had not been disturbed. A cold fear gripped her as she examined the contents. Only one man, the first man, had been careful with her.

She dressed hurriedly, tears rolling down her face. She would never drink on a date again and from now on she would get her money in advance. She wouldn't permit a man to touch her without putting the cash in her hand first. The bastards!

She noticed that it was after nine when she left the hotel. It was only then that she began to worry about quite another matter. What about Bert? How could she explain where she had been? She was completely sober but she had to come up with a good lie or there would be trouble. The thought of trouble almost amused her.

They had trouble already. What about the girl he had been with? If she hadn't seen him with the girl, hadn't been furious with him, there was a good chance that she would never have gone to the hotel. It was partly Bert's fault that she had let last night happen.

She hailed a cab and gave the driver the North End Avenue address. Well, she would think of something to tell Bert. She had to think of something. Or did she? Wouldn't it be better if they called it quits? What had they gotten out of their marriage except being buried in debt? A lot of people on Orchard Street were better off than they. She and Bert were frauds, complete frauds. They lived in a three hundred and fifty dollar a month apartment and they couldn't afford a tent.

Bert was waiting for her when she walked into the apartment.

"Hi," she managed lightly. "You home from the office today?"

"Where the hell have you been?" he exploded furiously.

"Down on Orchard Street."

"All night?"

"My father was sick and I stayed with him."

He shot her a look of hate. "A likely story." She acted hurt.

"Don't believe me if you don't want to."

His shoulders lifted and fell.

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