An online novel by Gillette Edmunds

She noticed Michael’s eyes were closed and realized he was asleep. She stood up, furious, ready to yell something at him. He rolled over and put his arms around the pillow. He hugged the pillow tightly. Sitting down slowly, she watched him roll full circle with the pillow in his arms. She laughed. He was funny.

His shirt was untucked but he had his brown loafers on. Chuck would never let himself get this drunk around her. Chuck kept a tight reign over himself in her presence. She knew that. But she couldn’t believe how drunk and aggressive Michael had gotten.

She laughed. She was tired too. She was very tired. She turned off the light and sat back down, putting her legs up on the bed, letting her arms drop to her sides.

Filtered sunlight from the small window filled the room.

They had stayed up late last night. In Paris. Talking. There had been a big argument in the cafe. It seemed like weeks had passed. Michael had settled into a quiet sleep on his stomach with the pillow under his arm. She leaned over him and took off his shoes. He didn’t move. She took off her jacket and lay down next to him and put her arm around his back. She felt him loosen his grip on the pillow.

The room was pitch dark when Barbara woke up. She had a headache. Michael was sound asleep next to her. She kissed Michael on the cheek and got up. She couldn’t see. Kicking a pillow out of her way, she found the door. She heard someone pass in the hallway. It was Jerome yelling ‘the fuckin cops in this town, they didn’t have to take me down.’ There were several voices calming him. When they all passed, she opened the door and looked out. The corridor was empty. She ran across to her room, her nylons slipping on the tile.