Bobby's Diner by Wingate Susan

Author:Wingate, Susan [Wingate, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: False Bay Books
Published: 2010-11-09T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

As he packed, the mayor’s head sweated profusely from his rapid and exaggerated pace and he wiped it off with the sleeves of his upper arms. He balled two dress shirts one after the other and stuffed them into his Pullman. Helen leaned against the bedroom door biting her thumb nail. He went to another drawer and pulled out his dollar-sign boxer shorts and another striped pair, grabbed two pair of black knee socks, and two undershirts. He piled them next to his piece of luggage before stuffing them in along and down the inner sides of the two-day hodgepodge of things to wear. He grumbled and shook his head angrily while he packed.

Then, finally he stopped and looked again at Helen and protested further.

“What were you thinking, if anything, by going out on ‘a night with the girls’, as you put it?”

Helen’s hand lowered from her mouth as if she wanted to defend herself but no words were readily available. She shrugged her shoulders and hemmed and hawed, but only for want of an excuse the mayor would approve of. Helen knew this didn’t exist and she looked out through the door where she stood. She slowly brought her thumbnail back in between her teeth and chewed on it more.

“Are you stupid or something?”

Helen turned quickly toward him from the cruelty and squinted disapproval.

“Well, really Helen, did you think it was a good idea to go out drinking with them?

“Why not, Harold?”

“Why not! I’ll tell you why not, you’re supposed to be the wife of an esteemed politician.” She turned her head away and rolled her eyes so he couldn’t see. “And, here you are, carrying on like common folk, that’s why not!”

He was again stepping up onto the soapbox which happened more often than not during their life together since his career move into the political arena, a move she’d long regretted.

Then, Helen began meagerly. “I’ll tell you one thing, Harold, going out with them, as you put it, was one of the most fun times I’ve had in… I can’t remember. I don’t know when it was last that I laughed so hard. We had fun, Harold. Fun, plain and simple.” Helen got a touch bolder. “I’m sorry if this upsets you, but I’m not sorry I did it.”

“You certainly have changed from the woman I married. I remember when you wanted nothing more than to please me, be my wife, support my efforts, efforts I make for us. But, I see these women are more important to you than I am.”

“Oh, Harold. For crying out loud. Why don’t you get a little more theatrical.” She spoke out daringly.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Pyle!”

“Quit yelling at me, Harold. It’s demeaning.”

“I’m demeaning you? You demeaned me when you went out on your drinking binge!”

“Harold, please, it wasn’t a binge. We had a couple of glasses of wine at their restaurant. No one was around except the three of us. We made dinner there together and had a good time just being women.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.