Part 9 (1/2)
They got into bed in Mary's suite and held each other in silence, tired and wanting nothing more than this closeness, until Mary said, ”It's coming to an end. I can feel it.”
He said, ”Are you a worrier?”
She said, ”No, not usually.”
He said, in a soothing way, ”You know what's coming to an end and what isn't. I don't think we have a choice, we're stuck with each other. But it's gonna be a lot harder for you than it is for me. I mean if we plan to see each other.”
”We have to,” Mary said.
”Good.”
She said, ”I've never done anything like this before. Have you?”
”When I was married? No.”
”Did you ever have an affair with a married woman?”
”No.”
”Then you've never done it either. We're amateurs. I've never even thought about it.” She paused. ”No, that's a lie. I used to look at you and think about it a lot.”
”I did too.”
”I used to stare at you and when you'd look over I'd say let's get out of here and go somewhere, be together.”
”I would have gone.”
”Would you?”
”I wanted to.”
”Boy, we've come a long way.” She said then, ”Where will we meet?”
”You can always come to the Coconuts. Andres's sister and her boyfriend love it.”
”We're not like that, are we?”
”I was kidding.”
”We're not shacking up ...Are we?”
”No, there's a big difference.”
”G.o.d, Moran, I'm gonna have trouble handling this Sneaking around, not telling anybody. I've got to get it settled with Andres, but I don't want to involve you.”
”He was suspicious before he even had a reason.”
”He's not dumb. But I've got to make him understand why I'm leaving and that it's got nothing to do with you.”
He said, ”What about your friends at Casa de Campo?”
She said, ”Oh, my G.o.d.”
”You forgot to call them.”
”I haven't even thought about them. When I left the emba.s.sy party I said I might change my plans 125.
and Marilyn, one of the girls, gave me a look-ahha, have fun. I'm pretty sure they have an idea what's going on, but you're right, I ought to call, get our stories straight.”
”Are they close friends?”
”Not really, but we get along, play tennis a few times a week.”
”They wouldn't call your home-I mean to see if you're there.”
”No, but I'd better let them know where I am.” Mary said then, ”s.h.i.+t. They went home today.”
”Is that a problem?”
”I don't know. I hope not.”
”Call one of them tomorrow, at home.”
”I'd better. How long are we staying?”
”You mean it's up to me? You don't sound too worried.”
”I am though. I'm starting to get nervous. And this is just the beginning, isn't it?”
Moran went to sleep; maybe for only a few minutes, he wasn't sure. Lying on his side he held Mary's back curled into him, his knees fitting into the bend of hers. He said, ”Mary?”
”What?” She was close to sleep.
”Rafi's left-handed. You said tonight you were sitting with two southpaws and he didn't know what a southpaw was.
”Remember?”
She didn't answer.
Moran opened his eyes to see the balcony in sunlight, the sheer draperies stirring, puffing in the breeze. Facing away from Mary he felt her move and get out of bed saying, ”Yuuuk, I drank too much wine.” Moving toward the bathroom her voice said, ”What time is he going to call?”
”I don't know, maybe he won't ...Mary?”
”What?”
”The guy I shot was right-handed.”
She said, ”You can remember that?”