After Life Read Free

dish by
    dish, pot by pot. When he was finished, she began on the left by
    herself and reviewed it, not making a single error, and ending up
    sitting at the kitchenette table. He shook his head. She was truly
    amazing.
     
    Our bed is made, she said, and I put away all my things and most of
    yours. Great. He put away the remaining articles and folded the last
    carton. I've got to cut up all these cartons and make them flat. Then
    I have to tie the bundle up, he said. Those are the rules from the
    sanitation company here. I'm surprised they didn't ask us to tie pink
    ribbons around everything. Talk about your prim and proper little
    communities. Jessie laughed.
     
    Tell me about the school, Lee. You've hardly spoken about it. You're
    not ashamed of it, are you? she asked perceptively. well You are,
    aren't you?
     
    It's nothing like what I had in Hicksville. They've got a gym, of
    course, but no separate exercise room and very little gymnastic
    equipment. No football then? Too small a school. K to twelve is just
    under a thousand.
     
    That must be nice, though. You'll get to know everyone quickly. She
    smiled and then reached out for him.
     
    Come here. I hate when you're so far away from me when I speak to you.
    I can't see your face with my fingers, and I don't know how you're
    reacting to what I say.
     
    Really? I thought you could sense things a mile away, he said, and sat
    beside her. She pressed the tips of her right hand over his lips and
    eyes. What is it, Lee? What's wrong? Jesus.
     
    There's something wrong, she insisted. Tell me. Is there something the
    matter with the apartment? No.
     
    What then? Come on, she coaxed.
     
    I don't like my good luck being based on someone's bad, he confessed.
    Mr. Andersen, she said, nodding.
     
    I suspected as much. Was he married? To his job, from what I hear. He
    taught here for over twenty years.
     
    She nodded again, her face full of concern. Then her expression
    changed. Someone's at the door, she declared.
     
    Huh? The door buzzer sounded. How the hell . . .
     
    I heard footsteps on the porch steps, she explained.
     
    The buzzer sounded again. Lee got up slowly, still shaking his head,
    and went to the door to greet Bob Baker, an English teacher he had met
    briefly when he had first come for an interview. Baker was just over
    six feet tall, in his late forties, with that distinguished gray tint in
    his temples. He had an impish twinkle in his cerulean blue eyes. He
    wore a tweed sports jacket, matching brown slacks, and a white shirt
    opened at the collar. Lee thought he either had the remnants of a late
    summer tan or he was a naturally dark skinned man.
     
    Baker carried a bag that obviously contained a bottle of some alcoholic
    beverage.
     
    But Lee's gaze was quickly drawn to Baker's wife who though not quite as
    tall, somehow evinced a taller appearance with her statuesque figure.
    Her face was an artist's dream, sculptured features, high cheekbones,
    deep set green eyes, and a straight, sensual mouth. She wore her light
    brown hair brushed back and down over her shoulders. It lay softly and
    had a healthy, silky sheen. Lee Overstreet? Baker said. Lee smiled.
    Yes?
     
    As faculty president, I make it my business to formally greet newcomers
    and see to it that they are properly christened. He handed Lee the bag,
    which Lee saw contained a bottle of champagne. And not a cheap one at
    that.
     
    Well, now, thank you. Come in, please.
     
    Actually it's only an excuse for Bob to drink, his wife said, extending
    her hand. I'm Tracy Baker. I hope this is not a bad time, although I
    can't imagine when it could be a good time for you, having to move in
    practically overnight.
     
    No, no. It's Nervy of us, Bob said, stepping past him. Jessie had made
    her way back and was standing in the hallway smiling. Hi, Bob said.
     
    Hello. Jessie extended her hand and Baker moved forward quickly to
    shake it.
     
    Bob Baker. And this is my wife, Tracy, he said,