Chapter 12

Saturday afternoon, when Becky went out to get the mail, she found another large manila envelope in the box. The printed address was the same, its appearance exactly like the first.

This, combined with a nervous hangover, made her furious. She was almost ready to throw it in the garbage bucket but her curiosity was too strong. She opened the envelope.

More glossy black-and-white prints-this time all women. The poses were even more wildly suggestive than the first batch.

She was glad Rudy was still at the store. Later on Saturdays he sometimes went up to the Elks to have a drink or two with some of the "boys."

He had called earlier, rather exuberantly, to tell her the appliance-and-carpeting deal had gone through. Gene had swung it to Crest Stores.

I gave him a good show last night, Becky thought. He was too drunk to realize I was faking my pleasure.

At first, out near the lawn swing, she had been excited. Because Tina had been so near? Because things had been different?

She sank into a chair, trembling. The photos reminded her all too vividly of the real reason why she hadn't been able to respond to Gene. Tina and I had our fun, first.

All day she had resisted taking a drink for her hangover. She wanted to stop nipping. She didn't want to acquire the hard brittle look of a girl who drank too much and too often. She hated to admit it, but the talk with Zane had given her a lift, had made her realize that there were kind decent men in the world.

She was tempted again with the batch of awful photos in her hand. Who could be upsetting her this way? For what reason?

The pictures hurt her in another way. She was very sorry now that she had ever let Tina touch her. No matter how thrilling it had been the act was unnatural, abnormal. If something like that ever got out, Rudy would lose everything. They would have to leave town. The act gave Tina a hold over her, a lever.

How did I ever get into such a mess? I've always considered myself a man's girl. I don't want to be queer.

With tears in her eyes, she crumpled the lewd photos into a ball. She took them with her to the bedroom, found the other envelope, wadded its contents up, too. She took both parcels out to the garbage bucket and threw them in, clanging the lid down hard.

When she returned to the house she heard the phone ringing. Probably Rudy, feeling big-chested about the contracts. Would he want to go out and celebrate?

A woman's voice answered.

"Who is this?" Becky asked, still shaky from her act of getting the photos out of the house.

"Irene, honey. Remember me?"

"Oh...." Several images danced through her head. The lush redhead sprawled on the Walters' living-room floor, her body writhing ... the way the men had looked at her.

"I'm all recovered now," Irene said, brightly. "I'm getting ready to leave town-staying at the Manor Motel. Didn't want to impose any more on Hal and Janet...." Her voice lowered intimately. "I'd like to see you before I take off. Why don't you drive out here? Number eleven...."

"Oh-I couldn't!" Becky protested. She found herself trembling. She was glad that she and Rudy had a private line. After her experiences with Tina she was sure she knew what the redhead wanted....

"Honey," Irene said. "I know something about your hubby that you wouldn't want to have exposed-in a little burg like this...."

"What're you doing?" Becky said, angrily. "Trying to-blackmail me?"

"Don't put it so crudely! You've got it, Becky-and don't act so innocent. I've been around, honey. You and Tina are more than just neighbors. She's got quite a case on you.

Drive by here and I'll show you more than Tina ever could...."

"You're horrible!" Becky cried. She banged down the receiver.

She dropped into a chair, shivering. Of all the cold-blooded propositions! I'll bet she sent those pictures, too! What kind of a slut does she think I am?

The truth was hard to face. She had played around with Tina and she realized that no amount of liquor could be blamed. Perhaps Rudy's coolness over the past year had contributed, perhaps his changing personality and her own efforts to be swinging and modern had helped too-but obviously she did have lesbian tendencies. She hated the whole idea more and more, with each passing moment.

Tears of shame gathered in her eyes.

What did Irene know about Rudy that was so damaging? Would the redhead really expose it-or were her threats merely an attempt to draw Becky into a messy situation?

Oh, I hate her! she thought. Let her do her dirty work! Maybe Rudy needs taking down, anyway. Our marriage is about shot.

A knock on the back door sent her dark thoughts flying. She wiped at her eyes, stood up and walked into the kitchen. Tina was already entering. She wore revealing pink shorts and halter. If the cute blonde had any kind of hangover, it didn't show.

Tina's smile faded. "Honey, what's the matter? You've been crying!"

Becky fought down an impulse to run to Tina and blurt out her troubles-but that might lead to more complications!

"Morning-after blues, I suppose," Becky lied. She turned to the electric range. "I can heat up some coffee...." Her hands trembled.

Tina came nearer and Becky was acutely aware of the blonde's seductive perfume. She wouldn't look directly at Tina.

"What you need is a drink," Tina said. She touched Becky's arm and even that bothered her more than she cared to admit.

"No! I had enough last night...."

"Well, let's go in and sit down. I hate to see you all upset...."

Tina's voice and manner commenced to soothe her ragged nerves. She walked with her guest into the living room. They sat down on the sofa.

"Didn't you have a good time last night, honey?"

Becky sighed. She realized she shouldn't vent her anger on Tina. She had already decided to be a venturesome party wife, and now she was reaping the pangs of conscience she had known would come as surely as day followed night.

"Yes...." Becky admitted.

"Okay-why all the tears?"

"All this is-too new, I guess." Tina's nearness was comforting. Perhaps Irene wouldn't cause any trouble ... and maybe the dirty picture-sending would stop.

"I think I know how you feel," Tina said, smiling. "I was shook the first time Gene and I traded with Hal and Janet-I'm sure you guessed that. We didn't really plan it-just kind of happened...." She giggled. "But I got over it. Lots of couples around town do a little trading once in a while. Adds a little spice to living."

"I guess you're right," Becky said. But the emptiness within her wouldn't go away.

Tina pressed her bare thigh against Becky's knees. She wore a light housedress and very little underneath. She had had the room airconditioner turned on since nine o'clock. It would be another hot day in Pender.

Becky felt a little nudge of excitement and she eased away from the smiling blonde. Not again, she thought. Not today!

"Honey, you're very special!" Tina murmured. "Don't be coy now. We did have a wonderful time!"

Becky flushed. "I don't want to make it a habit, Tina...."

Tina laughed. "You're so serious about everything. Relax. I don't go rushing every girl I meet. And I do prefer men. But as you know, they get moody and hard to manage sometimes. Girls understand what other girls like. Is there any big harm in that?"

"It's-wrong," Becky protested.

"Maybe. Lots of things are wrong with the world. Who knows when we're going to get blown to bits or die of atomic radiation? You can't save up the days, Becky. If you don't live them as they come, they're gone anyway. And please don't be mad at me. Sure, I'm a dizzy blonde, full of laughs-so called. Gene and I figured on a family, at first. But I'm sterile. Isn't that a kick?" Her voice trembled.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Tina."

"Maybe we'll adopt one later ... Gene doesn't like the idea."

Tina began to emerge in Becky's mind as more of a person. She had her problems, too. She squeezed Tina's arm. "Maybe the doctors made a mistake."

"No ... Say, what is this? Gloomy Saturday? We're both young and healthy. I don't like moping. Do you have a little drink handy, honey? I could use one, even if you don't."

"Of course!" Becky said. She went to the kitchen, took out her bottle of vodka and soon had two glasses brimming with liquor and orange juice. Her fingers were a little unsteady.

I'm still glad I told Irene off, she thought. And I guess Tina's right. One can't save up the days.

When she returned to the living room she found the blonde's pose on the sofa very provocative. Her arms were stretched out along the top and one soft leg angled away from the other, so that the outline of her femininity was clearly limned by the tightness of her shorts. The pink halter barely contained her generous breasts....

Becky felt a fluttering in her tummy, a little tightening in her loins!

What's the matter with me? She wondered. But I know, really. I want to touch her again....

A little breathless she sat down again and gave Tina one of the glasses. Their eyes crossed and held and Becky knew her cheeks were warming. She knew her short skirt was back along her legs and she didn't adjust it....

"Was Rudy pretty drunk?" Becky asked, her heart thudding.

"A little too, honey...." She winked. "Things were sort of interrupted when the lawn swing tipped over!"

Becky laughed and Tina joined her. They sipped their drinks and Becky realized her nerves were unwinding. Tina's lips on the rim of the highball glass seemed unusually active and when her pink tongue touched a piece of ice in the orange-hued liquid, Becky felt a familiar tingle of excitement. Her nipples turned itchy!

"You still look tense, honey," Tina said, presently. "I learned some good relaxing methods from a woman who worked in one of those massage parlors in Portland. Let me show you. It really helps...."

Becky's heart beat faster. The vodka had a soothing effect. Tina's green eyes seemed to grow larger. She was leaning closer....

When I poured that drink for myself I knew this was coming, she thought. And I could chill her with a hard look. But somehow I can't.

Tina held out her glass. Becky extended her own and the rims clinked together. Their eyes met again and Becky realized that already she had said yes without uttering a word.

"Cheers!" Tina exclaimed. They emptied their glasses. The blonde giggled. "Come on in the bedroom and I'll show you how this massaging helps...."

I'm glad we're using that for an excuse, Becky thought. I was disappointed with Gene....

Becky stood up, her thighs already warming-and suddenly the sound of the Finch car broke into her fizzy mood. Rudy was home already. The motor sound died and a door slammed.

Becky flushed. "I-didn't think he'd be here so early, Tina. I'm sorry!"

Tina giggled. She stood up and squeezed Becky's waist. "We'll do it some other time, sweet," she whispered.

Becky nodded. She took the glasses into the kitchen, and Tina followed. Rudy came through the back door, a wide smile on his face.

"Well, look who's here!"

"We just had a drink apiece, Rudy," Tina laughed. "I'm a little hung over."

"Had a couple downtown myself," Rudy commented.

Tina excused herself and slipped out the back door. Becky took the glasses to the sink, fighting for her composure. I was ready to tumble into bed with Tina-just like that! I'm awful....

She was surprised when Rudy came up behind her and slid his arms around her.

"Well, aren't you proud of me-getting that big apartment-house contract from Gene's company?"

"Of course," she said. And then she added slyly. "I was of some small help, though...."

He laughed. She could tell he'd had more than a couple. He reached upward to cup the thrust of her breasts. She was pleasantly surprised. But she was glad she had had that belt of vodka. She softened against him.

Well, if I can't have Tina, why not Rudy?

He kissed the nape of her neck and she started to turn around when the phone rang.

Her heart leaped into her throat. Irene again? Oh, damn her! Why doesn't she leave town and stay out of my life!

Rudy's hands left her breasts. He backed away. Another interruption....