Chapter 8
The ride back from the house was quiet ... strained. Everyone was involved in their own thoughts. I suppose that the only one who was really happy was Bob. He'd had himself a good old time.
Perhaps it was only wishful thinking, but Linda and Gil didn't seem any too happy. They didn't seem to be as cozy ... cuddly with each other as they were, usually.
Gil had caught my eyes several times, and each and every time he'd smile ... warmly. He had given me those secret looks across-looks that couldn't be mistaken-looks that could only mean one thing.
We were all sitting around the apartment making small talk. It was strained and I was uncomfortable. I didn't know how the others felt. I hoped that Gill and I weren't transparent; hoped that Linda couldn't see through our facade. But that was silly, I told myself. If she had, she would have said something ... done something. She wasn't exactly what you would call a passive person.
Suddenly, Linda broke the silence in the room.
"I think I'm gonna get out of this outfit. It's wilted from the heat." She got up from the sofa, moving toward the bedroom.
Almost as if it were planned, after Linda left the room, Bob stood and began walking toward the bathroom. .
"Nature calls," he smiled at me, moving toward the John.
I held my breath until he was gone and the door was closed behind him. Then I let out a sigh. I wanted to leap into Gil's arms, wanted him to kiss me, to hold me. But I knew it was impossible. I knew it would be much too risky, so I stayed where I was, across from him. I simply smiled at him-a free uninhibited, warm smile.
His voice was low, almost a whisper. "Would it be possible for you to get out tonight?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, after I leave. Can you make some excuse, say like half an hour later, and meet me?"
"I don't know," I stated. But then I suddenly realized what was most important and smiled again. "Yes," I continued, "I can."
"Good!"
"Where?" I asked, in a whispered tone. "Down by the shell in the esplanade."
"All right I'll meet you there an hour after you leave."
"Okay," he smiled, and leaned back in the seat and lit a cigarette.
"How about a drink?" he asked, his tone normal again almost too loud, almost too obvious. But he wanted Linda and Bob to hear.
"Sure. What'll it be?" I asked, my own voice as loud as his.
"Got some scotch?"
"You bet"
"On the rocks," he continued.
I was glad to get up and get out of the living room to the tiny kitchen. Happy that I wouldn't have to be there when Linda got back.
I purposely rinsed the glasses and stood there polishing them with a soft dish cloth. I purposely took my time getting the liquor down, getting the ice out, waiting ...
"Did I hear someone talking about a drink?" Linda asked as she walked past the kitchen.
"What'll it be?" I asked.
"Scotch'll do ... nicely."
Then it dawned on me. If I could get Linda smashed, she'd probably just fall into bed, exhausted, and fad into a deep sleep. I wouldn't have to make any excuses.
I poured equal portions of scotch into both glasses, but I was well aware that Gil could handle his liquor much better than Linda. Well aware of the fact that if Linda had another one like this, the accumulative effect of the alcohol she had been drinking all day would catch up with her again.
Humming, I brought the two drinks into the living room.
As I placed the drink in Linda's hand I curtsied and said, "At your service, ma'am."
"You're gonna spoil me, Rosalie. I'm gonna get used to this service.
"A little service never hurt anyone," I said, and handed the other drink to Gil.
"Aren't you joining us?" he asked.
"I don't think so. I had plenty today."
"Oh, one little one won't hurt, Rosalie."
"No, I'd rather not," I said.
"Prude!" she smiled and sipped at her drink.
Bob moved back into the room and sat beside me on the arm of the chair.
"Don't I rate?" he questioned, jokingly.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Don't I get a drink too?"
"Oh, I'm sorry!" I leaped to my feet. "Scotch?" I asked. "Why not?" he answered.
"Coming up," I smiled, and began busying myself making his drink.
The three of them were involved in conversation, and for the first time all evening it seemed to be relaxed and friendly again. I couldn't tell if it actually was, or if it was just that I was so relieved that I would be seeing Gil later that everything seemed fine again.
Everyone sat around drinking- ... talking.
I sat there, waiting ... watching my watch, patiently.
I thought she'd never fall asleep. She had had a second and a third drink. Instead of being exhausted, she was talkative; rambling on about every insignificant trivia detail of her summer plans-about her wardrobe, her hairdo's. But, strangely enough, she hardly mentioned Gil's name.
But at last, she shut up and now, after several minutes ... painful minutes, her breathing was heavy and even. She hadn't stirred from her position, but still was patient. I wanted to make sure. I didn't want anything to go wrong. It was too important to me to have any slip ups.
I laid there in the dark room, listening to her, staring across the double bed in the dimness.
I moved my arm, slowly, inching it up toward my face, until the small that of my watch was directly in front of my face. I was due there in twenty minutes. It would take me ten to dress and get out of the house, and ten to get over there. I had to leave now. I had no more time to waste.
Ever so slowly, I pulled the lightweight blanket off my body and moved one leg painfully, slowly, toward the edge of the mattress. I felt it slide off onto the floor. Then I began to move my other leg. Just as my ankle edged over the mattress, the old rickety bed squeaked, moaned out loudly beneath me.
In the silent room, it sounded like a bomb had gone off.
Quickly I spun my head in Linda's direction. But, seemingly, she was still asleep; still in deep slumber ... so I thought.
I was frozen in my position; afraid to move. Afraid that the bed springs would give me away. But yet I had to; I had to get out of there. I had to dress quickly and meet Gil.
I began moving slowly, again, edging myself up onto my elbow and then my hands. I eased my second foot down onto the floor and reached behind me and grabbed the bed post for support. I lifted my body from the mattress completely.
Success, I thought. Not a sound. I had purposely folded my clothing and placed it in a neat pile on the chair next to my side of the bed. I was bending over, collecting it, when suddenly, the room burst into light.
I felt like a thief caught in the act. My face felt hot I was sure it was flushed. Sure that she would know if she saw me.
"Going somewhere?" she asked, her tone cold, not at all sleepy.
She had been awake all the time! It was just waiting for the moment, this opportunity to catch me at my own game that had kept her silent
"Yes," I answered. "I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd go for a walk."
"A walk?" She echoed my word. "At this hour!"
"Not much else to do. I wanted to get out of the apartment so I wouldn't disturb you."
"How sweet," she said. I couldn't detect any special meaning to her voice. "It's not safe ... especially for a girl who's as attractive as you to roam around the streets of Boston at this hour."
"Oh, I'm not afraid," I answered.
"You're too dumb to be," she responded, her voice taking on a lighter tone.
"Well, I can't just lie here in bed."
"Okay, why don't we both go?"
Her words hit my skull like a brick; resounded through my head, bouncing off my brain. I felt my body stiffen.
Don't be silly! If you can sleep, you might as well get your rest"
"I'm sort of awake, now, myself."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"I know," she said.
"Maybe you're right," I said, feeling bitter ... angry. "Maybe it's not safe for two girls to go walking. Maybe we should try and go to sleep."
"I sort of like the idea of a walk," she went on. "But you're right. We shouldn't be alone. I have a fantastic idea," she continued.
"What is it," I asked, almost afraid.
"Why don't we call Gil and have him join us?"
I didn't know what to say; didn't know what to do. I still hadn't faced her, but at this moment, I was furious. I didn't want to hurt Linda, that's why I was doing all this sneaking around, hiding behind her back. But, if she did know, she would have played this game with me. She didn't care about my feelings.
I spun on my heels and stared hotly into her eyes.
"Now, I ask you, why would you want to go and do something like that?"
"For protection, Rosalie. Why else?"
"I don't know. But it seems silly to wake Gil up at this hour because you and I can't sleep."
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind. After all, he loves both of us."
My words froze in my throat. I was afraid my eyes would give me away; afraid that she would see right through me.
I was thankful, at this point, that she turned away from me and took the phone from the night table and dialed Gill's number.
"That's strange," she said. "What?" I asked, sharply. "There's no answer."
"Maybe he's not home, yet"
"Brilliant deduction," she said and giggled. "Maybe he and Bob stopped for a drink, or something."
"Yeah ... or something."
Linda hung up the phone and pushed the covers aside, getting to her feet
"What are you doing?" I asked. "I'm getting dressed."
"Why?"
'Because I thought we were going for a walk."
"Where to?"
"I don't know. Wherever you had in mind."
"I had no place in particular to go."
"Good, then. We'll take a walk over to Commonwealth Avenue."
I knew what she meant. I knew where she wanted to walk ... Gil's apartment was by the avenue. But, at this point, I didn't want to make a fuss. I didn't want things any more tense than they were already.
"Okay," I said, beginning to put my own clothing on. "You're the boss."
She looked in my direction and smiled, without saying a word-without giving me any indication of what she was thinking-of what she was feeling.
"While we're over on Commonwealth," she said, "We might even stop in on Gil."
"But if he's not there?"
"We'll wait. Won't he be surprised when he sees the two of us ... "