Chapter 11

Martin looked across at her, his eyes concerned. "You do understand, don't you?"

"Yes," Eva lied.

"Sorry," he muttered.

"Don't be, sorry" Eva said softly. "I'll be waiting for you whenever you need me."

"We won't be able to see each other again, ever," Martin said soberly.

"What about your husband?" Martin asked suddenly, shocking Eva from her thoughts.

"What about him?"

"It's late. Won't he suspect something when you come home?" Martin laughed gently, motioning at her clothes. "You aren't exactly a fashion plate at the moment."

Eva smiled, patting his hand. "I should be insulted but I know it's the truth. Anyway, don't worry about Ralph. He's a spineless clod who wouldn't suspect anything if I came into the house stark naked."

Martin snuffed out his cigarette and lighted a second one thoughtfully. "Don't be too sure. Ralph's a smart man. Perhaps much more clever than you give him credit for."

"Don't be silly," Eva scoffed. "He's stuck in a rut and is content to spend his life there."

Martin opened his mouth as if to say something. But he changed his mind and closed it again, instead shrugging, "Just be careful."

"I will," Eva promised. "We'd better get home," he announced.

Eva nodded. "Anything you say."

Some of Eva's bravado evaporated as she stood on her front steps and watched the tail lights of Martin's car disappear down the street. A chill swept over her body. But it wasn't from the warm flow of air sweeping down through the valley. The cold realization had struck her that she didn't have the beginnings of an excuse to tell Ralph. How could she just explain away a day?

But all of her worries were groundless. As Eva looked around the litter-cluttered living room, she realized that Ralph wasn't home yet. She exhaled a sigh of relief and lighted a half-smoked cigarette she found in the tray.

Eva would have liked time to go back over the events of the day, to re-live the pleasures that still caused her body to ache.

But she knew there wasn't time for that ... not now.

Eva moved quickly to the bedroom, listening for the sound of Ralph's car. She stripped her clothes off and for a moment stood in the center of the room, admiring her slender body. There were dark welts scattered here and there across the smooth skin. She smiled to herself as she saw them, knowing what had accompanied the possession of each one.

There wasn't time for more. She headed for the shower, anxious to wash as much of the evidence from her flesh as possible.

Eva just made it. She was settling beneath the covers when she heard the front door open. Looking up, she saw Ralph come into the bedroom. He didn't look so hot himself. His eyes were haggard and the rough, mountain clothes unkempt. Well, she thought, trying to suppress the smile she felt flitting beneath the surface, there were two ways to have fun in the mountains. She liked hers better.

He saw her and grinned. "Still up?"

Eva nodded. It was a statement typical of the man. Even a moron could see that she wasn't asleep. "I've been reading," she said out loud. "How was the fishing?"

Ralph shrugged. "So so. A storm came up today and pretty much ruined it."

"Too bad," Eva said, forcing the sarcasm from her voice.

He stripped off his clothes and sat on the other twin bed. "In a way I suppose it was a blessing. Everything's so dry in the mountains everybody's afraid of fire. We got some rain but not enough I'm afraid."

Now wouldn't that be too bad, Eva thought to herself, if his precious mountain cabin burned down. Then he'd be stuck here with her over the weekends. She didn't like the thought. But on the other hand, what did it matter? Now that she had Martin to go to she knew that she wouldn't be around here much longer. Then he could go to the mountains as he pleased. It was pleasant thinking, knowing there was at last an end in sight to this treadmill she'd been on. And a wealthy conclusion at that.

"Good night, Ralph," she said.

Her husband leaned across the bed and kissed her on the cheek. "Pleasant dreams," he returned.

Eva knew they would be. Martin would be the central character.

When Eva awakened, the other bed was empty. She lay still for a moment, listening for sounds in the house. There were none. Ralph had already left for work.

She stretched languidly, feeling the stiffness of her body. It was a pleasant way to begin the day, a reminder of the exercise she'd had yesterday.

Humming softly to herself, Eva padded into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee from the pot Ralph had thoughtfully left on simmer. Then she sat in the front room and began to wake up.

As she did, her feelings toward Martin grew to clarity. What he'd done to her no man had ever been able to do before. It was an exciting feeling. If this was being in love, she thought happily, she liked it.

And why should she stay with Ralph? He was a nothing going nowhere. Eva knew one thing, she was a beautiful woman. And it was all wasted on a man like Ralph. Even more important than that, what if he found out about the men she'd been seeing? He'd be the first one to kick her out. Eva shook her head, thinking of what she'd just thought. Ralph wouldn't do a-thing like that. It wasn't his nature. The poor oaf was deeply in love with her. No matter what she did, even if it included making a man beneath his nose, he'd be understanding.

And what of Martin? Did he love his wife? She doubted it. No man could make love as he had to another woman and really belong at home. No, it wouldn't take much to make him go away with her.

Eva sipped her coffee and leaned back, her mind absorbed in the excitement a marriage to Martin would bring. There'd be a big home, expensive things that she'd always wanted, travel around the world ... she'd only have to ask for what she wanted and it would be hers.

She knew she'd have to pay for them. But the price would be pure pleasure, giving her body to a man who really appreciated it.

Eva got to her feet and looked out the window, feeling the same old revulsion hit her. Now that she'd thought of a way to get rid of this monotony, it was even worse. Some day she'd come back to this street, driving an expensive car and wearing the latest furs. Then let these stuffy-nosed neighbors grovel at her feet. She'd spit in their faces.

As Eva stared through the blinds, a cab drew up in front of the house. When the passenger left the car and started up the walk Eva recognized her sister.

She hesitated a moment before going to the door, taking time to look at the plainness of the woman. It was hard to believe that they were sisters, Eva thought. Ruth was a mousy woman dressed in an austere black suit with her hair tied tightly at the back of her head.

And what would Ruth say, Eva thought, when she found out about Martin? Eva knew the answer. Her sister would probably pull out a bible and begin quoting.

She laughed to herself. It would give her double pleasure to see Ruth's face when she found out.

Eva knew the real reason for Ruth's feelings. She was jealous. She didn't have a man of her own and she resented anyone else having one ... particularly her.

It was no wonder Ruth couldn't catch one. Who liked a mouse who ran at the first sign of a male removing his pants?

But what was Ruth doing here at this hour of the day? She should be at work. Even more important to Eva was how long it would take her to get rid of her. Eva was expecting Martin to come by. Despite what he'd said last night she knew he'd come. He too would be thinking of yesterday and it would draw him like a magnet.

Eva opened the door just as the bell rang. "I didn't expect you," she said.

Ruth bit her lip, her face pale and drawn. "I had to come," she explained. "I've been worried about our fight all week-end."

"You shouldn't waste your time, Ruth," Eva said. "I hadn't given it a second thought."

Ruth stepped across the threshold hesitantly. "I want to talk to you. May I come in?"

"Be my guest," Eva smiled, waving her into the house. "Want some coffee?"

Ruth nodded and sat on the edge of the couch, removing her gloves finger by finger. "I could use some."

Eva found a cup and filled it, setting it on the coffee table. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"Yes, but I took the morning off."

"To see me?"

Ruth nodded. "That's right."

Eva set herself for what was coming. This was to be a continuation of the lecture, keeping on the straight and narrow. But at the moment she didn't really mind. She wanted something to occupy her mind while she waited for Martin's call. "So go ahead," she prompted.

Ruth looked bewildered, as if she didn't know where to start. She covered her confusion by taking a sip of the coffee. "Eva," she said at last. "You've simply got to stop chasing around with other men. It isn't fair to poor Ralph."

"I thought we were over all that last Friday," Eva said impatiently. "You know how I feel."

"This is entirely different," Ruth said slowly.

"You've got something on your nasty mind," Eva snapped. "Spill it."

"It isn't easy," Ruth admitted.

"Damn it," Eva exploded. "Spit it out or get the hell out of here."

Ruth leveled her eyes at her sister. "What were you doing up in the mountains yesterday with Martin Sellers?"