An online novel by Gillette Edmunds

“Ah, don’t worry about it,” Jerome sighed. “Polly will never find out. That’s probably just the going price anyway. All Polly cares about is being able to afford things. She’d give me hell if she had to quit that country club again. Especially now that she has a trip to Europe under her belt like all the other gals.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to call,” Michael said.

“Listen,” Jerome said. “It doesn’t matter. She’s used to quitting that club and rejoining and it may not come to that. She’s used to my little affairs. She used to her old Chevy. Thank god she’s got her Church to keep her occupied and off my back.”

Michael laughed. “She’s used to your affairs?”

“She’d rather I had sex with someone else than with her,” Jerome said. “You see, sex without children is impure to her. Catholic menopause.”

Hardwood patted Jerome on the back.

“Listen, Michael, there’s something else,” Jerome said, ignoring Hardwood. “Polly has your wife’s toilet case. They got mixed up or something. Should I give it to you or what?”

“Tell Polly she can have it,” Hardwood said. “Michael has had it with Sonya. Isn’t that right Michael?”

Michael put his other arm around Hardwood’s back and held on to him as well. Looking Hardwood in the eye, Michael said “that’s right. Absolutely fucking right.”

“All right,” Hardwood yelled out. “Give it to them Michael.”

Everyone was going to the restaurant next door for dinner. It was a small place with white tablecloths and a big display of vegetable dishes in the window. The waiters were known to speak English and have a sense of humor.