A Tradition of Pride Read Free Page B

assignation and the attorney had a striking resemblance to the blond secretary Trevor had supposedly discharged." Without conscious thought, she lighted another cigarette and inhaled the smoke deeply. "For all I know the apartment is still in use, although I believe the girl has changed several times. Trevor is always discreet. He has to maintain his respectable standing in the community."
    "How did your father react to this? I can't imagine him tolerating this treatment of you." It was Angie's turn to clasp her hands together.
    "Angie—" Lara laughed hollowly "—my father is a Victorian chauvinist. One of the first things I did when I learned Trevor was cheating on me was to run to daddy and cry out my woes. His words of comfort consisted of a lengthy explanation that just because a man steps out on his wife doesn't mean he no longer loves her. I had the impression that, as a lady, I was supposed to be grateful that Trevor didn't expect me to endure all of his manly passion."
    "You're kidding?" Angie stared at her in openmouthed disbelief. "Thank heavens Bob doesn't feel that way." She leaned back in her chair. "Surely when your father saw what it was doing to you, he had more to suggest than grin and bear it."
    "His antiquated notion was the old standby that I should have a child." Lara rose to her feet, walked aimlessly to the sliding glass windows and stared through the small panes. "I couldn't bring myself to tell him that Trevor and I hadn't slept together since I had found him with his secretary and the thought of any intimacy with him made me ill."
    A stillness permeated the room. The fire crackled in the hearth while outside the laughing babble could be heard as the waters of Black Creek rushed over the curve of rocks. A rocking chair on the porch overlooking the creek was stirred into movement by the breeze.
    "Lara, what are you going to do?" Angie broke the silence at last. "You surely aren't going to maintain this marital farce, are you?"
    Lara turned away from the peaceful outdoor scene. None of her composure had been the least bit affected by any of the incidents and emotions she had just related. Time had reinforced her armor to the point that it was nearly impenetrable.
    "Do you remember meeting my Aunt Beatrice from Gulfport at the wedding?" Lara inquired. At Angie's bewildered nod, she continued. "The morning of the wedding she took me aside, taking my mother's place and giving me all the advice and instruction a bride needs. One of the things she stressed most fervently was the fact that in all the history of the Alexander family, there had never been a divorce. It's a tradition that everyone is very proud of, including my father. In essence, she said that even if love dies, a couple should stay together regardless of whether or not they destroy each other's souls in the process."
    "Family loyalty is one thing, but you are carrying it too far!" Angie protested vigorously. "You can't ruin your life because of someone else's outmoded beliefs!"
    "I agree." With one cigarette out, Lara lighted another, exhaling a cloud of smoke and watching it dissipate in the air. "But I don't see any point in getting a divorce. True, I'd be rid of Trevor, but in everything but name, I'm rid of him now. He's just a man living under the same roof that I do. I don't love him anymore, nor do I hate him. I simply don't care about him, period."
    Angie raised her hands in a helplessly beseeching plea for Lara to reconsider what she was saying. "But…you'll meet another man someday and want to marry him and have his children."
    "No." Pity flashed in her green eyes, knowing her friend was seeing life through the rose-colored glasses she herself had once worn. "I know I must sound hard and cynical to you, but I don't care to have any man in my life … ever."
    "You can't mean that," Angie sighed. "It's not natural."
    "I've lived the life of a celibate for nearly two years. It's really not so difficult." Lara glanced at her left hand,