An online novel by Gillette Edmunds

“It’s the truth, isn’t it?” Barbara asked Chuck, twisting on the bed to face him. “It’s absolutely, totally true this time. Isn’t that so? Just you try to deny it in front of these people, you creepy nerd.”

“I don’t know what Mrs. Fisher told you,” Charlie said.

“It is true,” Michael said.

“Stay out of this, turd,” Charlie barked at Michael.

“Well, just do not lie to her,” Michael said, still facing the drapes.

Charlie walked to the door and slammed his fist into it. A dead thud preceded his sharp “shit” as the lion’s head handle and hinges rattled. Barbara turned back towards the drapes. She was sniffling and wiping her wet eyes with a bare hand. She squeezed the towel with her other hand. Michael took the towel hand, put it up to the tears, and held onto the bare hand.

“Thand you,” she sniffled.

“You can stay here tonight,” Michael said to her. “I’ll get a cot and sleep on it and you can have the bed. It’s the only room available in the hotel.”

“Oh, god,” she said. “Ok, I can’t go to Rome. This is it. I’m sunk. I’ll stay here.” She stood up and faced Charlie. “Do you hear that Chuck? I’m staying here.”

“You are not going to stay with him,” Charlie said.

“Go to hell. Get out of my room, Chuck. Leave creep. I HATE YOU!” she yelled.

A moment of silence followed with them staring at each other. The word ‘disgusting’ had stuck to his clothes.