Anyplace where Big Bobby Gurk isn't part of the landscape.'
I finished my drink, kissed Jessica good-night, and headed for home.
I turned into the parking lot of my condo just as a black Camry was coming out. I saw the driver in my headlights, a little guy wearing wire-rimmed specs. I could have sworn he smiled at me.
I almost wet my pants.
I wasn't surprised that Gurk had told Teddy O. where I lived, but it was a shock to see him keeping tabs on me. I hurried inside, locked the door, drew the drapes. I pulled out two suitcases and started packing.
I had some nice things, and it was going to break my heart to leave most of them behind, but it had to be done. I finally selected my favorites, not the stuff William K. Brevoort was storing in my closets.
Wherever we were going, the sonofabitch could buy his own dresses. got up Tuesday morning with the usual industrial strength hangover.
When I stared in the bathroom mirror, I could see what all the boozing and whoring was doing to me. I was beginning to look like an old lush, my face pasty and bloated. I wondered how long it would take my liver to collapse, just like my father's.
Marleen had left for work, and Tania was out somewhere, so after I showered and shaved, I wandered next door to cadge a black coffee.
Mabel Bar row was sitting at her kitchen table flipping the pages of a tabloid magazine. She glanced up as I came in.
'Herm, you look shot,' she said.
'I am shot,' I admitted. 'But nothing that your delicious coffee won't cure. How about it?'
She got up to make me a cup of instant and put out a plate of glazed doughnuts. She was wearing pink plastic curlers in her hair. That turns me off. But she was also wearing, a T-shirt (no bra) and short shorts. That turns me on.
She sat across the table from me and nibbled on a doughnut.
I know it will sound like I was around the bend, but the sight of her sharp white teeth biting into that doughnut was the sexiest thing I had ever seen, and I decided it was time to go for broke.
'Tomorrow's the day,' I told her.
'For what?' she said, all innocence.
'What you and I talked about,' I said. 'The romance of the ages.'
'I don't know,' she said hesitatingly. 'I'm not sure.
I reached across the table to take her hand. 'Mabel,' I said, looking directly into her eyes, 'don't pass up this chance, or you'll regret it for the rest of your life-and so will I. You and I are meant for each other, I just know it. We think alike, and we feel alike. We both want the same thing-a little fun, a little- happiness, before we get too old to enjoy it. Am I right?'
She nodded.
'Then let's do it,' I urged her. 'Tomorrow at noon. No one will know, no one will find out. just you and me. It'll be our secret, and it'll be great.' She finished her doughnut and licked her fingers. 'What should I wear, Herm?' she asked in a low voice.
I grinned at her. 'Whatever you can get out of in a hurry.
We're not going to be playing Chinese checkers, you know. Mabel, this is going to be the joy of a lifetime. I'm going to love you like you've never been loved before.'
'I've got to get home in time to make dinner. if 'That'll give us at least four hours together. Four hours of paradise.'
'You'll get there before me?'
'Guaranteed.
'And there won't be any problems with the desk clerk?
'Absolutely not. I'll grease his palm to make sure.
There's an ice machine in the lobby. What do you want me to bring along to drink?'
'I like Galliano.'
'You've got it. I'll even bring a lime. Now let I'll write down the me have a piece of paper, and I address and how to get there.'
Before I left the Barrow kitchen, we embraced and exchanged a soul kiss.
My God, she was soft.
And so ready! I could feel it.
'Wednesday noon,' I whispered in her ear. I'm going to take you to the stars.'
'Don't forget the Galliano,' she said.
I drove to my office as horny and excited as a teenager.
The first thing I did was phone the motel and reserve a room for noon on Wednesday, September 2. I asked for a vibrating bed, figuring it might be good for a laugh.
I slaved all day, catching up on the paperwork I had been neglecting.
I went out for lunch but didn't have a single drink.
I was determined to stay sober and get to bed early. I wanted to be physically fit for the motel scene on Wednesday. I, just knew it was going to be a memorable bang.
I was a Boy Scout for the remainder of the day, worked hard, treated my employees with respect (to their shock), and went directly home from the office. I did stop briefly to pick up fresh flowers and a key lime pie.
Question, Why are married men who plan to cheat so attentive to their wives beforehand?
What a nice, peaceable, domestic evening that was! Marleen loved the flowers, and Tania loved the pie. But I think what they liked best was that, for the first time in a long time, I was acting like a 'man of the house,' a sober and solicitous husband and father. To tell you the truth, I didn't find it a trial. I think I enjoyed it.
I may have been wrong, but that night I had the feeling that with a little salesmanship I could have persuaded Marleen to let me into her bed. I didn't make the effort. All I could think about were sharp, white teeth biting into a glazed doughnut. I guess there are words for guys like me. Schmo is one of them.
'Oh, by the way, Herm,' Marleen said, 'that new cologne I told you about-I left a sample on your bathroom sink. I wish you'd try it and tell me what you think.'
'Sure, lion,' I said. 'I'll use it tomorrow.'
I awoke early on Wednesday morning. It was a strange feeling to get up unhungover. What a high that was! I heard Marleen and Tania moving about and talking downstairs, so I stayed in bed until the house quieted down and I knew Marleen had left for work.
Then I started getting ready for the first day's assignation-with emphasis on the syllable.
I probably don't have to tell you, but in situations like this the man's preparations are as detailed and finicky as the woman's, if not more so.
I mean I took extra care in brushing my teeth and shaving closely. I did a thorough job in the shower, too, and spent a lot of time in selecting my seduction costume, not too dull, not too flashy. it was, I thought, something like putting on a confirmation suit.
But before I dressed, I inspected the new cologne marleen had left on the bathroom sink. It was in a spray dispenser and unlabeled. I spritzed a little onto one hand, rubbed my palms together, and sniffed the fragrance.
I liked it. As Marleen had said, it was spicy and minty and had a very refreshing after-scent. I sprayed my armpits and rubbed some on my chin, neck, and chest. it was cooling which, I supposed, came from the alcohol base. But even after that evaporated, I could smell the aroma.
It wasn't overpowering, and I had the feeling Mabel Barrow would love it. That wonderful woman!
All perfumed and duded up, I went out into a perfect day, warm sun, cloudless sky, kissing breeze. What a great world it was! I saw Tania and Chet huddled in the Barrows' garage and waved to them. What marvelous kids! Both of them were winners, and I loved them, I really did.
The drive to the Fort Lauderdale motel was a delight. I just felt so good that I wanted it to go on forever! It was like being born again, seeing, everything for the first time. Colors seemed so vivid, traffic sounds were music, and I even sang as I drove. I don't remember the tune but it was so bright and cheerful I had to laugh!
The people at the motel couldn't have been nicer, I had no problems at all. The room they gave me was spacious, sunlit, and spotlessly clean.
