An online novel by Gillette Edmunds

Michael’s loud sneeze, muffled by the towel, interrupted the silence.

“Can’t you ever learn to control that,” Sonya said to Michael. “At least use a handkerchief. You’ve soiled the towel.”

“No, I can’t control it,” Michael said. “It’s hay fever.” He sneezed again into the towel, one end of which he held and the other end of which Barbara held. Barbara turned and watched him wipe his nose.

“We better be going,” Sonya said. “This yelling will not help anything. There’s nothing left to discuss. Do you have any francs left for a taxi, Charles? I’ve exchanged all mine.”

“We can’t go to the airport,” Charlie said. “God knows what the old hags would say.”

“The rumors have probably killed half of them already,” Michael said. “You can sell your heart operations to the survivors.”

Charlie’s neck muscles tensed again. “I could give it to you right now,” he said. “I haven’t hit anyone in a long time.”

“God, you’re stupid,” Barbara told him. “You’ve never hit anyone in your life. Michael is not athletic and is much smaller than you. You’re so stupid Chuck.”

Charlie’s eyes started to swell up with tears.

“Let’s go,” Sonya said. She got up, straightened the bedspread again and put her arm around Charles’ waist. Michael turned towards them. He saw how much taller Charlie was than Sonya and how thin Sonya looked next to him. Barbara turned away, pulled the towel from Michael’s hands, and covered her face with it.

“So what if we can’t go to Rome,” Charlie said loudly, sniffling. “Fine. We’ll stay in Paris. There’s plenty of places we could go. Let’s get out of here Sonya.”

He opened the door and Sonya let go of his waist in the doorway.

“I’m sorry it was all so awkward,” Sonya said to Michael. “I did not mean to leave you in the middle of Europe.” Her eyes widened and her face elongated. “I, I should’ve waited until we were home to tell you. I’m better at this sort of thing. I could have handled it better. I just felt so guilty. We’ve been such good friends. I’m sorry Barbara. I’m glad to have met you. No. I, I mean…” She started crying for the first time and grabbed onto the doorframe. Charlie stood behind her in the hall.

Michael couldn’t stand to hear her voice crack. He was so proud of Sonya’s beauty and grace that he never wanted her to be embarrassed or even to lose at games.

“You’ve done fine in an awkward situation,” Michael said. “But please close the door, Sonya. Barbara and I will be fine. We’ve just had a bit too much right now.”

Sonya closed the door. Barbara and Michael heard them walking towards the elevator. They did not hear any voices.

Michael put his arm around Barbara as she sat down next to him on the bed and began to cry and cry and cry. She dropped the wet towel on the floor and let the tears roll down her face and clothes.