Chapter 9
The weekend slipped by in a happy daze of excitement. She had fed her hunger with Teresa. She remembered sleeping with the child. She recalled waking in the early hours and waking the child with her probing fingers. The other's sleepy enjoyment pleased her. They had met the boys again and the shack had swirled with games of the flesh.
At last, Monday had come and so had Teresa's parents. After some profuse thanks, they had gathered her things and were gone. That afternoon she had met with Jack and they made plans for Wednesday and cut out letters from some old magazines. The letters were for a note to go along with the picture that they hoped to get.
Midday Tuesday, Jim came back. Alice was thankful that he hadn't done too well; there weren't too many fish to clean and give away.
Alice went through the days almost holding her breath. She felt a submerged excitement boiling and rolling in her. She tried not to think of what they had planned for Sally Harris. True, she did feel an occasional stirring of a sort of guilt. She recalled her own shame and fear at just knowing that pictures of her with Teresa and the boys even existed. Now she was part of a plan to ensnare another-to put another woman through that sexual wringer. She could imagine Sally's face; imagine her confusion at hearing Jack when he told her what they wanted.
Alice planned to watch. There was a missing board at the rear of the shack. The boys had put an old crate in front of it so she could watch and use the camera without being seen. The thought of watching them excited her. She remembered watching that night, remembered how Sally had submitted to those men. Remembering that made her recall how she had submitted to the boys-her own grunting, panting shame on that dirty blanket in the dusty old shack. The same shack where a new episode in Sally's life was about to take place. Alice shuddered at the thought.
Alice glanced at her watch. "Oh, God. It's only two in the afternoon," she scolded herself. "We won't be able to start 'til nine at the earliest. What am I going to do 'til then?" She felt the crotch of her panties getting wetter by the moment. She wished Jack was here,, but he was off playing baseball. She knew she resented the times he went off and wasn't available. For a moment she felt guilty for resenting his acting like the boy that tie was but then she thought of that totally adult tube of flesh that hung between his hard young thighs. She remembered how it could force and pound into her body and the guilt disappeared as her hunger for it grew fiercer!
Jumping up from the couch, she tried to pace but couldn't clear her mind of those images. She tried to watch TV but it never caught her attention. At last she went down the hall to the bathroom. A nice cold shower to settle my nerves, she tried to tell herself. But once she was naked she couldn't resist and stood before the full length-mirror. She studied her tingling body. She remembered how her body looked in those photos, like some other person, and she felt a little sorry that Jack had torn them up. Her nipples were swelling. Her breast felt hot and tight. The lips of her vulva were swelling. She stared at the wet pubic hairs and saw the bud of her clitoris swelling, standing, begging for release from her mounting excitement. Her legs quivered. "Oh, Jack, how I need you right now," she muttered aloud. Leaning on the counter near the wash basin, she parted her thighs slightly. Trying to tell herself that she could soothe the overheated flesh, she placed her palm on her pulsing mound. The touch of her hand there drove all pretense from her mind and she allowed her finger to slip between the lips.
The touch fanned the flame of her hunger, the finger slipping up and back between the oily folds. Alice, despite her new found freedom, felt a certain sense of shame at what she was doing. She recalled laying in her bed as a young girl, fighting the urge to do this for herself, afraid of being caught. Afraid of all the silly tales she had been told. She felt those old doubts and inhibitions fight their way to the surface. Despite these feelings, she avidly watched herself in the mirror.
Her mouth fell slack as she masturbated herself. She watched a flush cover her as her finger lightly caressed her aching clitoris. Her belly rolled and sucked in as it was urging the finger deeper. Her finger teased and toyed with that sensitive bud. Each touch sent spasms of enjoyment through her body. She wished she could dare call Jerry or Teddy at their homes, but she knew she couldn't. What if their mothers answered? Oh God, I'd die! They knoiv me, they might know my voice. From that her mind wandered. She imagined being caught by Jerry's mother. Strangely, it seemed to excite her. The image of being found under the boy, speared by his young cock as his mother came in, thrilled her. It fed the hidden hunger in her. Those images spread the fire between her legs. Her arm jerked faster. Her finger pressed and touched. Her breath came faster. Her legs trembled so badly that she had to lean heavily against the counter to keep from sliding to the floor as she aroused herself.
"Aghhhh, Ohhhhhhh," she moaned aloud as she reached climax. The surge of pleasure rolled over her, making her body jerk and snap. At last the jolts of pleasure grew fainter. Her finger slowed to a languid rolling, just touching herself. Then, she let her hand fall to her side. Once again she opened her eyes and saw herself in the mirror.
Her whole body had a rosy flush, she could see a glow of perspiration covering her as she half leaned, half lay on the counter. Her eyes followed each swollen, excited curve of her form. She felt the urge to lay on the floor and do it again!
She shook herself and stood up straight. She turned on the shower. Taking a deep breath she stepped into the cold rushing shower. Her climax had been nice but it hadn't satisfied her hunger. She tried to let the cold stings of the water soothe her, drive the images out of her quivering mind.
The shower did help her gain control, but it didn't drive the thoughts away. The rest of the afternoon, thoughts of Sally and those men, Jack, Jerry and Teddy kept creeping onto the stage of her mind. Their mingled bodies, their sighs of pleasure kept her in a state of turmoil. Alice felt a real sense of relief when she heard Jim pull into the driveway.
The routine of talking with Jim, making dinner as he showered, soothed her. It gave her something to center on. When dinner was ready they sat down to it. As she ate she watched him.
"Does he notice anything? I wonder if I act any different. I feel so different it should show like a big red-lettered sign board. He didn't seem to notice. He just chatted about the office and business. Her own responses were mechanical. She had long since given up being interested in his doings. She hadn't admitted to herself but she had just been going through the routine until now.
After dinner he casually mentioned that he was going bowling again. Her excitement rose. She would be able to get out with no trouble. He seemed surprised but vaguely pleased that she didn't fight his going out again, but he didn't make any comment. He was content to let it be. Finally it was time, and getting his bag from the small closet, Jim kissed her lightly and went out. She forced herself to stand quietly until she was certain he was gone. Once she was satisfied, she hurried to their room and dressed. She choose a dark blouse and black slacks. It was exciting. She felt like some sort of secret agent!
By a quarter-to-nine she was ready and heading out the back door. She shut the back gate quietly and started up the slope. It was dark tonight, no moonlight. That was good. She knew no one would be able to see them. They would be safe.
Halfway along the trail she met Jack. He had startled her as he stood in the darkness. His hand caught her arm as she passed. For a terrible moment she thought it was Jim. He's followed me and he's checking up on me! When she could make out Jack's face, she could only laugh weakly and hang on to him, breathing great gulps of relief along with the air into her lungs.
"Are you okay, Mrs. Murray? I'm sorry if I scared you," he whispered to her. Instead of an answer, she kissed him quickly. For a moment they forgot why they were there. His hard young body aroused her and she wanted him.
Right here in the weeds. Now! she pleaded with herself but just in time she remembered Sally. His hand had come up and cupped her breast. She hadn't worn a bra and knew he could feel her nipple swell against the blouse fabric. Breathlessly she forced herself to calm down and pushed his hand away. Tonight was just too important to let it get away now. She had to concentrate on the business at hand. He understood and let her stand free to catch her breath. It took almost a minute before she could trust herself to speak to him.
"Do you have the camera and the flash bulbs?" She could see his white teeth shine in his answering grin. She saw the camera as he held it up for her approval.
Putting his finger to his lips, he quieted her. They moved softly down the part of the path leading to Sally's playroom. Just as they got there the light went on in the room. Carefully Alice climbed up on the fence and looked into the room. Sally stood by the door looking around the room. Alice noted that she was fully dressed this time and for a moment Alice thought that she was going to snap off the light and leave the room. But the slender woman suddenly made a face to herself. She unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it free from the waistband of her skirt. Reaching behind herself she unsnapped her bra and slipped the garment down her arms. Once the bra was thrown aside, she slipped the blouse back on and buttoned it back up. "Oh you itchy cunt!" Alice laughed softly to herself as she watched. She remembered why she hadn't worn a bra either, for the same reason.
Jack was up on the fence with her. He had the flash attachment on the camera and was sighting into the room. It was hard to do. He had to hook his elbows over the top of the fence in order to steady himself enough to hold the camera. "Is it going to be all right?" she whispered softly. He nodded, never taking his eye from the camera.
Sally paced back and forth in the room. She poured herself a stiff drink and shot it down in one gulp. She's nervous, Alice thought. I wonder if she can sense that something is going to happen. Sally pressed her hand against the front of her skirt and allowed it to move up and down slightly. Alice remembered her own feelings in the bathroom that afternoon and knew how the other woman felt.
They all heard the car pulling up on the street in front of the house. The motor shut off and all sound ceased. Each of them seemed to hold their breath. Then they heard the footsteps in the driveway and there was a soft knock on the door. Sally started a little and hurried to open the door. The same two men stood there. The big one named Al; the slimmer, younger man whose name Alice hadn't learned. Sally pulled them into the room and stood for a moment looking out the door, as if to see if anyone had noticed them coming in.
"What's the matter Babe?", Al asked as he stared at her. She just shook her head and continued to look around the outside. Al winked at the other man and walked over to her. One arm went around her upper torso and Alice could imagine the feel of his hard hand on her own breasts. The other arm went around her waist and pulled her back against him, pressing her buttocks against him. For a moment she tried to struggle, then the feel of the man she had been waiting for forced her to respond. Alice could hear her sigh as she relaxed and pressed back against the big one.
"Oh, nothing's wrong I guess. I've just felt sort of uneasy all day, like something was going to happen. I don't know what ... just something." Al laughed and turned her towards the room leading her over to the other man.
"You bet something's going to happen Sally! We are going to have a ball! I don't know about Frank, here, but I've been thinking about you, lean Mama. I've thought about you all day and no funny feeling is going to stop me now!" They all laughed and walked over to the couch and sat down, Sally in the middle. At first they just talked in low voices, their hands passing back and forth over each other's body. The talk continued in a low key. Al tried to great her into a better mood.
At first Alice couldn't make out what they were saying. Then she heard Frank say "Come on ... snap out of it. Let's have a little affection." Sally grinned and leaned towards him and they kissed. Frank's hand went up her front and his fingers found her buttons and undid the top few. Sally's breasts were hanging free, now. His fingers found the nipples and pulled them. With his tongue in her mouth, all Sally could do was moan and press her body closer to him, allowing him closer access to her breasts. Al just leaned against the arm of the couch and watched. After a while he reached out and played his large hand on her thigh. Slowly his hand massaged the flesh under her skirt and his moving fingers were drawing up her skirt. More and more of her thigh was showing.
Alice pressed herself against the fence in an agony of suspense. She could feel that large hand on her too-she wanted to feel it more than she admitted to herself.
Al had the skirt up to her waist and Alice saw that the woman had no panties on. Oh, the hot-pants slut. The cunning bitch doesn't wear any, ever, I know it! she thought as she watched the big sausage-like fingers pinch her buttock. The hands of the two men on her body had aroused Sally. They made her forget the feeling that she had. Her hand strayed down to Frank's lap and found the eager bulge waiting for her. He helped her undo the belt and the zipper and in seconds his trousers were open. Sally reached through the opening in his shorts and pulled his stiffening organ out and curled her fingers around it. Even across the room Alice could see the penis ooze fluid and she almost cried out. The fingers held the shaft in a tight grip and slowly she pulled the loose skin up and down. Frank closed his eyes and simply enjoyed the feel of her hand on him. Sally smiled as she watched.
Al had tired of feeling her behind and pulled the younger man's organ as she sat back up between them. Al pulled her face to his and kissed her hard. As he did that his massive hand found her open blouse and completely covered one of her breasts and crushed it. Frank cupped the other and teased the pointed nipple.
Gasping for breath, Sally broke away from his mouth long enough to say in a shaky voice "Hey, take it easy. We have all night, you guys. Besides, we all have far too many clothes on for this kind of sport." Laughing, she jumped up and standing before them, she did an impromptu strip tease. She hummed softly to herself as she pulled the crushed blouse from her shoulders and unhooked the side clasp on the skirt. Once it was loosened, it fell to her feet and she calmly stepped free of it. All she wore was a pair of high heels. She shook back her hair and gyrated her torso, doing a clumsy imitation of a stripper doing the grind.
Needing no other invitation, Al stood and quickly undressed. Alice caught her breath when she saw him. She had forgotten how huge he was. She stared with real hunger at that huge organ as it stood almost straight up against the big man's belly. Frank stood and had his things off in a moment. Sally stopped her foolish dance and almost ran to the men. She reached down and caught each man by the cock and stood between them alternately rubbing each one against her hips and belly. Slowly they sank back on the couch. The men took turns kissing her mouth, feeling her eager body. Slowly her thighs spread until each leg was hooked over the thigh of the man at her side.
Jack stirred on the fence. He had forgotten the camera. He lifted it and was about to take the shot but Alice put her hand on his arm.
"No, wait! Not yet. I'll tell you when," she hissed at him and he lowered the camera and went back to watching. Alice looked back to the room. Frank had hold of Sally's head and was slowly pulling it down, aiming her gasping mouth at his organ that stood waiting for her.
"That's the way, baby," Al crooned as he watched her getting closer to the other's penis. "That's it. You love to suck Sally. Remember how hard it was to teach you? Even if you did fight it, babe, I knew that we could teach that nice mouth to suck. You give head now, baby. You're one of the best now." As he taunted her, his hand roved over her trembling body. Sally moaned and opened her mouth and allowed the talk in. Alice couldn't tell if it was the man's words or his touching hand that had made Sally so hot as she sucked at the other man. Al got to his knees and forced her body around until she lay on her belly, her head bent over the other's middle. Then he lifted her up by her hips until she was kneeling, then moved in behind her. When his fleshy organ touched her, Sally began to tremble. She lifted her mouth off the other man and begged: "Oh, Al, please don't go up the back. You're too huge. You know how much it hurts me. Oh God, don't do it"
The big man just grinned and laughed at her.
"Don't worry, honey, we don't want to hurt you. We want to please you. I know it's too big, so relax!" With that he lowered his penis and Alice saw it disappear between the woman's thighs. Alice almost fell from the fence.
He's done it to her, too! He put that huge thing up her anus once. I just knew it! The thought of that large fat organ up her own anus made her feel faint and she wondered if she would ever have the courage to take something that large in her.
The trio were completely joined now. Sally's head bobbed over the younger man. Alice could see her lips tightly pursed around the wet shaft as she allowed almost all of it in her mouth. Al was deep in her now-and he had begun the thrusting, pushing motions, pressing that slab of flesh deep in the slender woman. The feel of that intrusion was taking its toll on Sally. Her hips began to shake and roll. She pressed her buttocks tight against him, urging him to penetrate her deeper and harder.
Alice was afraid to watch any longer. They might finish any moment now, she thought. She put her hand on Jack's arm and he raised the camera. "Wait until she has her head up," she cautioned and the boy nodded. His eye was pressed to the camera.
They held their breath as Sally's head came up. Just before she started down again, the flash popped! The bright light flooded the room for an instant and the three on the couch seemed frozen by it. After what seemed like years, Sally pulled her mouth free from Frank and jerked herself loose from Al's turgid rod.
"Oh my God!! ! , " she screamed. "Someone took a picture of us. Oh my God!! ! " She started to cry as she tried to get dressed. Frank sat there stunned, his penis wilting because of the fright.
"Goddamn," he shouted and dived for his clothes. He made whimpering sounds as he pulled his pants on. "What's going to happen. What if my old lady finds out?" He was almost crying as he dressed. Once he had his things on, he jumped up and ran out of the room. Al hadn't said a word. He just dressed as quickly as he could and then said quietly to Sally.
"That prick Frank just ran out on us. Don't worry honey, I'll get that camera and that shot. Just keep cool." He ran for the door.
Alice had just hung on the fence watching all this unfold, as if she was watching a very adult movie. Jack was down off the fence and hissing at her, trying to get her to move. The boy wanted to run and of course he was right! She suddenly realized that Al wasn't running away like Frank. She could hear him plowing through the shrubs at the side of the playroom and knew that he would see her on the fence in just a few seconds. Alice let go and tried to jump down from the fence but she couldn't move. Frantically looking down, she saw her blouse was caught in a damn crack! She jerked and tugged, but she couldn't free it. She could hear Al coming nearer. The thudding of his feet on the grass blended with the thudding beat of her heart and it sounded like a bull elephant stampede in her mind. With one final desperate lunge she tore the blouse free and fell from the fence. As she hit the dirt and weeds she looked up and saw Al's head peering over the top. His eyes glared at her.
"Hey you!", he shouted, but she didn't wait for anymore. She scrambled to her feet and catching Jack's outthrust hand she ran up the slope. She heard scuffling sounds and knew that Al was coming over the wall after them. She had never considered that the men would chase them. It was stupid of her not to have thought of that, but there was no time now to rework the plan. They had about a thirty yard lead on the big man. It was dark and they knew the hill. He didn't.
As she ran she felt a cool breeze and looking down she saw that her blouse was completely torn from the front. She could see her breasts bobbing and jiggling as she ran along. She almost giggled at the thought of it.
Jack led the way. He circled the base of the hill, keeping low and making her bend over as she ran. They circled the ring of willows and headed for a stand of trees above it. Once in the trees they stopped. Alice was panting so hard that she was certain that Al could hear her and that the sound would lead him right to them. But as he puffed by, his own breathing would have defened him to a brass band. After the sounds of his crashing through the brush faded, Jack laughed softly.
"Wow, that's cool, man. He'll never find us now. No matter what he does, it's over, Mrs. Murray. It's all done." Her breathing was returning to normal now and she sat down on a fallen log. She wished she was as confident as he was.
"Jack, he's between us and my house! I have to get home and change before I go on. I can't go up like this!" She showed him the open blouse and he grinned and touched her breasts lightly.
"Don't worry. In a bit I'll make some noise over there and lead him away. Once he's away you can go home without any trouble. All we have to do now is wait for him to get tired of tearing up the hillside over there." Still laughing, he sat down beside her. His hand reached out again and caught her breasts and toyed with them, rolling them in his palm.
The excitement she felt as she had watched Sally together with the excitement felt during the chase combined in her belly and she wanted him so desperately!! ! She tried to keep her head. She knew it would be so foolish to stop and do this with that huge man tearing around looking for them. She pulled away from his hands and stood up. "Don't ... not now, Jack!", she whispered urgently and moved away. Still feeling tired, she leaned against a fork in a tree, resting her arms on the two trunks that rose in the darkness over her. Jack wasn't worried. He moved up behind her and reached around and cupped her dangling breasts again. At the same time he pressed tightly against her back. She felt the pressure and the heat from his body through the thin slacks. Her resolve faltered and for a moment she pressed her buttocks back against him, feeling the full erection press back at her. Then she got her senses back and tried to push him back. The boy was too strong for her. He pressed her forward until her arms and shouders were wedged into the fork of the tree. The bark was rough against her bare breasts but she was wedged so tight she couldn't pull back.
One of his hands found the button on her side and she felt the waist band of her slacks loosen and then felt them being pushed to the ground. At least I wear panties, she thought smugly, thinking of Sally naked under her prim little house-wifey skirt. Jack's rough hand found the elastic band of the panties and pulled them down. Once past her knees they joined her slacks at her feet. She heard the rasp of his zipper and felt the warmth of his flesh as his organ pressed against her fleshy buttocks. With his knee he pressed her thighs apart. The clothing at her feet wouldn't allow her legs to spread too far but it was enough. She felt like she was tied up. Her arms were immobile. She could barely move her thighs. She felt his penis between the cheeks of her buttocks and for an instant she remembered the photos of the woman on her knees, of Sally begging Al not to put that large organ up her anus and her own penetration that day last weekend. She felt a surge of relief when Jack pressed his penis lower and she felt it slip up against her vagina. She was so wet that he just popped in without any trouble.
As she stood there, pressed up against the tree, she could feel him forcing up into her inch by wonderful inch, and she was happy that Jack had forced this on her. She could still hear Al as he pounded up and down the other side of the slope but she wasn't worried anymore. The organ inside of her calmed her. She sighed softly, making sure he couldn't hear and allowed her sheath to swallow the ridged member, letting it press and rub her swollen clitoris. The boy was so aroused that it took him no time at all and she could feel his excitement rising. She was totally aroused too and knew that in a few more strokes she would climax. Trying to brace her restricted feet, she shook her hips at him, her buttocks rubbing against his belly. He gave a gasp and she felt his surge of hot semen flowing up into her. The added lubrication eased her own climax. She groaned deep in her throat and bit her lips to keep from calling out and letting Al know where they were hiding.
When he was through, Jack gently pulled loose and helped her free of the tree. Quietly they rearranged their clothes, then stood close and kissed softly.
"Here," the boy whispered, "take the camera and hold it for me. I'll go down the hill and lead him away now. Good luck." He laughed and moved quietly down the slope until he was on the other side of the bushes. Then he gave a shout and a high pitched laugh and ran noisily through the low brush. In a few moments Al came around the side of the hill pounding by her so close that she could have tripped him if she had had the nerve. Soon the sounds faded and she knew it was time to move. Clutching her torn blouse around her, she trotted down the slope and to her gate. Taking a. last look to make certain that no one was watching, she slipped in and closed the latch. She was home. Safe!
Once her door was shut and locked, she felt the tension drain from her body. The fear of Al catching her faded. She stumbled to her bed and fell across it and laughed until tears came to her eyes. Finally the hysterical laughter ceased and she lay there enjoying the feeling and the after effects of fear.
She thought of the foolish thing they had done; making love against a tree while that great bear of a man crashed about in the dark trying to find them! She felt a giggle rising in her aching throat when she tried to imagine what Al's expression would have been if he had stumbled across them and found her wedged in the tree, her clothes at her feet. What would he have said if he found her being screwed by a boy?
Glancing at the bedside clock she saw that time was flying. She jumped to her feet and hurried to her closet. She stripped off the tattered blouse and threw it away. She found a new blouse and a dark skirt. Once dressed, she went to her purse and found the letter that they had made. She pulled the photo from the camera and waited a little. If it's no good then we have gone through all of this for nothing, she worried to herself. Finally she picked up the photo and stripped the paper back. The shot was perfect! She had been afraid that the window would distort it and make it useless but it was as sharp as if Jack had been standing next to them.
Alice gloated at the image of Sally kneeling before the younger man, his penis deep in her wet mouth. She saw the huge sausage penis of Al buried in the other woman. Sally had her head in perfect profile and the light was full on it. There would be no mistaking that face! They had Sally by the short hairs now! Being very careful, she cut the photo in half. She kept the half with Sally's face on it. The other half she put in the envelope and sealed it. It doesn't matter if she gets the back half, she'll know who it is anyway, Alice had to smile at that thought. She tucked the half-photo in the envelope with the letter and sealed it. Then taking a last look at herself in the mirror, she snapped off the light and went out her front door. She was still excited. Her fingers fumbled as she attempted to lock the door with a key.
It only took a few minutes to walk down the street to the woman's house. Just as she was a few yards away she saw the large bulk of Al coming down the drive and getting into his car. He doesn't look happy. He had to give up, she gloated to herself. He couldn't catch Jack. She caught a glance of his face as he roared away from the curb. It didn't look satisfied.
At the door she took a deep breath and then pushed the buzzer. There was no answer! Then she remembered how far away from the door Sally was and she pushed again, letting her finger stay on it for a longer time. This time she heard the bell and in moments the door opened a little and Sally peered out at her.
"Hi," she said brightly, "I was so lonesome at home that I thought I'd come on over. I know that your husband bowls tonight too so I just thought we could have a nice chat." The door opened slowly and Sally stood back, allowing Alice to come in. My God, how white she looks! Alice thought as she glanced at the woman.
They sat on the couch and Alice had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the other woman. She was white, she had color in her face and she was very nervous. Alice could tell it was an effort for Sally to keep from jumping up and pacing the room. Well, it's time, she told herself and pretended to just remember something.
"Oh, hey! I found this letter in your door when I rang. I'm sorry. I just forgot to give it to you." Sally stared at her for a moment, not understanding. Then she saw the envelope and almost snatched it from Alice.
"Excuse me, I'll go make some coffee." Sally muttered and went to the hall and out of sight. Alice waited just long enough for the other woman to get the envelope open and see the photo. Then she got up and followed her to the kitchen. As she entered she saw Sally's sudden motion as she hid the photo from her. She stuffed it in her dress pocket and tried to give Alice a smile. It didn't look like a smile at all. Alice sat down and Sally read the letter. Her eyes widened and Alice could see even more color leave the woman's face. Her knuckles turned white on the paper. Alice knew why. She could recall the exact wording.
"Come to the shack on the hill behind your place at ten tomorrow morning if you want the other half of this. Don't tell anyone and come alone!" Alice could see the worry in her eyes and knew a little of that feeling. I wonder if I looked that sick when they caught me ? , she asked herself and had to stifle a laugh that wanted out.
"Is something the matter?" she asked calmly, looking concerned. "Is there anything that I can do?"
Sally jumped like she was stung. "Oh ... no ... it's nothing, really. Just a reminder of something I have to do tomorrow." She tried to smile again but it took real effort to pull her lips back and it still didn't look right.
Once the coffee was done they went back into the living room. Alice kept up a steady patter of bright wifely conversation, talking about husbands and houses. Sally's comments were strained and uncertain. She hadn't gotten over her shock and her brain wasn't working well. Alice noted that she kept putting her hand into her skirt pocket as if to make certain that scrap of photo was still there.
Once the coffee was done Alice knew that her job was over. She got to her feet and went to the door. "Well, goodnight," she shrilled. "I've got to get home to take care of Jim. By the way, Sally, what's your husband's first name? I should know it, but I'm such a silly. I forgot it."
Sally was uncertain for a moment, as if her mind was far away. "Oh ... it's Henry."
"Oh course. That's it ... Henry. Well I must hurry along. I did enjoy that chat and the coffee. Good night." She went out the door before Sally could answer and hurried down the walk and up the street. She had to force herself to walk-to restrain herself from running.
It's done!, she thought to herself in triumph. We did it. She's so frightened of being caught that she'll do anything to keep that other half of the photo from coming out. She laughed softly as she came to her home and went in the door.
She had just taken her coat off when she heard the car drive up. The door slammed and Jim came into the room.
"Hi, honey. How did you do?" she asked brightly.