Chapter 16
Alice Ames had not believed Jimmy when he had phoned that evening.
He had sounded a little upset as he explained to her just why he couldn't make it over to her house that night. He had told her that he had a pressing examination that he would be taking the next day, and that it was consequently necessary for him to put in a good deal of study time that night.
Alice was very skeptical and decided that the only way to end her skepticism would be by driving over to Jimmy's and seeing if he was at home.
She did not notice his car outside, and when she asked his aunt where he was, she told her that she believed he was over at his teacher's house.
Now she was stumped, recognizing that there was a conflict between Jimmy's story and what was actually coming to pass. Of course, she thought, perhaps the instructor was helping him with some other lessons and getting him ready for another examination. But that sounded extremely strange to her. She had never known of an instance of a teacher helping a student prepare for an exam the evening before it.
She drove home that night and remained dumbfounded about what was happening to Jimmy.
Early the next evening she drove over to Jimmy's house. Since he had not called her, she was getting agitated about the way he was ignoring her.
This time his car was in front of the house. She thought about going to see him and straightening out their problem once and for all, but decided against it. She thought that the smart thing to do was to just wait outside for at least a little while. She had a strong hunch that maybe Jimmy would be coming out of that house and would be going somewhere.
Sure enough, that was what came to pass. He got into his car and drove off.
She made certain that she did not follow close enough behind him to where he would be suspicious of what was happening.
He drove to Gail's apartment, and Alice remained just a short distance behind.
A few minutes later, Jimmy disappeared into the apartment building. Alice looked at her watch, determining that she would remain until Jimmy came out, no matter what time it might be.
It wasn't until some three hours later that Jimmy returned to his automobile.
As he walked towards the car and was preparing to get inside, Alice was fuming. She was ready to have it out with Jimmy right then and there.
She got out of her car and walked angrily across the street. He was just about to open his door, when she descended upon him.
"Jimmy, I'm getting fed up with you," she began.
"Alice, what are you doing here?" Jimmy looked at her with a guilty hint of dismay in his eyes.
"I was wondering the same thing about you.
Now I can see why you don't have time to spend with me."
"Have you been eavesdropping on me?"
"I've just been doing a little detective investigation on my own," she bristled sarcastically. "What's her name, Jimmy?"
"Oh, this is my teacher." He chuckled nervously. "I'm getting some help. You know, I've got to get a college scholarship. That means so much to me."
"It doesn't mean more than a piece of ass, and you told me that."
"No, I never said that."
"You certainly did. You told me something almost exactly to that effect. Now you're saying something else. I don't like it, Jimmy. I don't like your attitude at all. Trying to put something over on me."
"Oh no, I wouldn't do that. That is my teacher. I'll even take you up there and introduce you to her."
"Okay, I wish you would."
"But not now. Some other time. You know, it's late. She's probably in bed by now."
"She probably is." Alice looked at him and frowned.
"Oh no, it's not like that," Jimmy protested. "She's really a very nice lady. She's kind enough to help me with my studies. You would like her if you met her.
"I'm sure I would." Alice shook her head disgustedly.
"Oh no, it isn't the way you think it is."
"My guess is that it's exactly what it is."
"You just don't trust me, do you."
"No, I don't."
"Gosh, I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry, Alice."
"Why were you over here last night ? "
"Oh, she was helping me again."
"Then why did you lie to me and tell me that you had to study?"
"Oh, I thought that you might get mad if I told you I was going over to my teacher's place. I was sure that you would."
"That's a lot of bunk."
"Oh no, you've got to believe me."
"I don't have to believe a damned thing."
"It isn't the way you think."
"You don't have to keep repeating those same words. I know what happened. I just caught you in the act. I'll bet that isn't a teacher at all."
"Oh, yes she is. Her name is Miss Johnson. She's a very excellent teacher. She's been helping me."
"I'm sure she has."
"Not in the way that you think. Just with my studies."
"I don't buy that at all."
"Oh yes, she just helps me with studies, nothing more."
"This is it between us, Jimmy. I'm fed up. I don't ever want to see you again."
"Oh, Alice, you're taking this whole thing all wrong. You are really being terrible about this."
"Oh, am I?"
"Yes. You're just not giving me a chance. That isn't fair."
"I'm tired of being lied to. Oh, I can see that you've been spending time with your teacher all along. My guess is that there's quite a bit between you two, and it extends far beyond the book realm."
"You mean you just won't believe me?"
"That's about the size of it."
"Please, Alice, give me another chance."
"If you will recall, I gave you that chance. And it just didn't work out, did it?"
"No, not that time. But this time it will. Believe me when I say that."
"I don't believe you this time. I did the last time, but I've had it with you, Jimmy. No, it's over between us."
"Oh, don't leave. Let's have a cup of coffee and talk this thing over."
"We have talked it over. There's nothing further to discuss."
"Yes, Alice, there is more to discuss."
"No, there isn't."
With that Alice stalked angrily toward her car.
A few moments later, as Jimmy stood dumbfounded on the curb, she started the car and drove away.
Alice was still fuming. She didn't believe Jimmy one bit, and she was certain he was having an affair with a girl who lived in that apartment, no matter who she might be.