A House by the Side of the Road Read Free

discovered it. She’d had no qualms about taking it, but if he knew she had, he would take it back. And then, at least for the present, she wouldn’t be able to lie in bed at night with the feeling that he was in the room.
    She went into the bathroom, took a small bottle of cologne from her makeup bag, and sprayed the scent into the air, stepping into it. Just a hint of lilies of the valley clinging to her hair, to her clothes. He liked just a hint. She wouldn’t miss the bathroom with its immovable window and inadequate shower. She would, however, miss the huge, claw-footed bathtub, which was, as well she knew, big enough for two.
    Her bare feet moved silently across the old, dark green rug of the living room and then the worn maple floor of the kitchen as she went to pour a drink into one of the two glasses she’d left in the cupboard. She swirled the bourbon briefly and downed it, needing to steel herself for the first glimpse of him, knowing the effect it would have on her. She had to be calm tonight because tonight she would tell him that he was moving with her, not in the six months or so that he had promised, but soon. Within the next few weeks. Before the end of April.
    All through the winter and early spring, she’d enjoyed her secret power and his ignorance of the fact that she had it. It had made her casual, and that had stopped the easing away he had started late last fall. She’d intrigued him again, and she hadn’t needed to use her knowledge. But now it was time. Just this morning, he’d denied that he had ever set a specific date to join her in Boston. It would be better, he’d said, for him to stay here for the rest of the spring and the summer. There were people who depended on him, he said, and a lot of work he had to finish. Besides, breaking the news of their involvement would require delicacy, and time.
    No, he wasn’t staying for the summer, and she would let him know about that tonight. At first, she wouldn’t mention it. She would just slide her hand up his arm to grip the muscles of his shoulder, bury her face in his neck, and let her sweet-smelling hair fall over his face. Then, later, she would let him know about their future and what it would be like.
    A key turned in the lock of the kitchen door. He had walked over, as usual, so there would be no sign of his presence. She arranged herself on the couch, assuming a languor she did not feel, and picked up a book so when he walked in she could let it drop and stretch like a cat—a beautiful, soft, purring cat.
    When she stretched again, an hour later, it was without planning it. She snuggled closer to the man next to her and draped one arm across his chest, admiring the gold of her skin. The man lifted her arm and got out of bed, sliding into his jeans.
    â€œWhere are you going?” she asked sleepily, patting the sheet next to her. “Come back.”
    â€œI’d like to,” he said, smiling down at her. “Can’t. I gotta get home.”
    She sat up and leaned over the side of the bed to reach her clothes on the floor. “You promised you’d stay,” she said, as calmly as she could. She concentrated on keeping her voice neutral. He hated anything that sounded like a whine. “After I move, it may be weeks until you’ve finished what you have to do and can join me.”
    â€œLook, Angie…” He hesitated. The pretense had gone on too long, but he had dreaded the scene she would make. Still, it wouldn’t be a public scene. One here in this lonely house, no one would hear her scream at him, accuse him. And much as she might want to upset him by talking about their affair all over town, she wouldn’t, because she would never admit to being dumped.
    He sat down on the side of the bed and looked sadly at her. “I told you. I have to stay for the summer. We’ll see how soon in the fall I can come.”
    She’d give him one chance. “You