Part 120 (1/2)

”That's right.”

”Delivery from Beds, Beds, Beds.”

Emma released the entrance door, let out a war whoop.

”What?” Marianne demanded, sitting back far enough to frown at her work.

”Beds!” Emma shouted. ”We've got beds.”

”Don't joke about something like that, Emma. Not while I'm painting, or

I'll give you a wart.”

”I'm not joking. They're on their way up.”

Marianne paused, dripping brush in hand. ”Real beds?”

”Mattresses, Marianne.” Emma leaned a hand on the ladder. ”Box

springs.”

”Jesus.” Marianne shut her eyes then gave a dramatic shudder. ”I think

I had an o.r.g.a.s.m.”

At the elevator's ding, Emma was across the room like a shot. When the

doors opened, all she could see was a queen-sized mattress covered in

plastic. ”Where do you want it?” was the m.u.f.fled question.

”Oh. You can take that one right up those stairs in the far corner.”

The man with ”Buddy” st.i.tched across his cap rolled his eyes, hefted the

mattress over his head, and started for the stairs. ”We could only fit

one at a time in the elevator. My partner's waiting downstairs.”

”Oh, right.” She pushed the release b.u.t.ton again. ”Real beds,” she said

as Marianne joined her.

”Please, not while we have company. d.a.m.n, there's the phone. I'll get

it.”

The elevator dinged. Emma directed the second man-Riko according to his

cap-then smiled at Buddy as he went out to get box springs. When the