"Oh, I'm sick," she moaned. "I'm so sick."
He led her to the washroom where she vomited for quite a while. They he lay her on the living-room couch and washed her face off with a cloth.
Laura lay there as pale as death. She couldn't talk. What was there to say? She didn't even care how she looked, for the first time.
"You really tied one on, didn't you?" he sneered. 'I've been calling and worrying about you."
"Uh. I'm sick. Let me alone. What day is it?"
"It's Sunday night."
"God! I've been out since Saturday afternoon! What about the dog?"
"That's another thing! He shit all over the front hall. I guess the poor dog asked to go out. Jesus Christ! What a mess this place is!"
"Don't yell at me, honey. I'm sick!"
"Well, somebody's got to stop you from living like this! It's disgusting. You never saw anyone act this piggish on grass!" Bert was very superior and childish at that moment. Laura wanted to hit him and kiss him at the same time.
Laura tried to raise her head. "I've got to feed the dog. The poor creature must be starving!"
"No. He ate one of your plants, and he chewed up your slippers. That must have given him some nourishment. You're a mess!" Bert was determined to insult her.
"I know I'm a mess. You mother spelled it all out for me."
"I know. I heard all about it." He shuddered.
"Please, baby. Feed the dog and take him out. I actually can't move this head. Will you, please?"
"Yes. But I'm not going to clean up his shit from front hall. This place stinks!"
"I'll do it later. Cover it up with something and spray the room. I can't move. Oh, I'm so sick!"
Bert kissed her, making a face at her smell. "It's a good thing I've got a key, or you and the dog could have died here," he grumbled.
He fed the dog, took him out and came back in better humor. "What can I give you to eat, honey?" He petted her arm. "You haven't eaten for a long time."
"Ugh. Nothing. I feel lousy."
"You have to have something. A little soup?"
"I'll try." She sighed gratefully. At least one person cared whether she lived or died.
He worked in the kitchen, opening the can of soup and heating it, and he even fussed with a tray and crackers. He looked like a little boy. Laura wept. It made her head feel worse.
Bert held her head up and fed her, and she was able to get down a little soup. "Why the hell didn't you answer the phone?" Bert demanded.
"I was afraid it was your mother. I didn't want to hear what she had to say again. Mainly because it's true!"
"The hell it is! I've had to take so much crap the last few days that I moved out again. I'm in my own apartment. I'll give you the phone number."
He wrote down a phone number on a small piece of paper and left it on her coffee table.
"Is that girl living there with you?"
"What girl?" he asked cautiously.
The blonde. I think her name is Nancy. You know what girl I mean."
"No. Not any more. I blew her off awhile ago, he answered evasively.
His eyes look shifty. Such beautiful eyes to be so shifty.
"I've been worried about you," he murmured, groping for the buttons on her robe.
"No. I can't fool around now. No. I'm too sick."
"Aw, come on. I've been dreaming about your blow job all night. Come on, baby. That's what I came over for." He looked miffed.
"I thought you came to see me."
"Sure. I like to see you. But I like it even better when you blow me. Come on."
Laura wanted to please him, but every time she moved her head, she got dizzy and sick to her stomach. Her head ached, too.
"No. I can't do it. I'd throw up all over you. I'm too sick."
"Aw, come on."
Bert was acting like a sulky little baby. Laura suddenly realized in shock that that was all he was.
"No. This is the first time I've ever refused you. Now, just forget about it! I can't do it today." She heard herself, and she sounded like a school teacher scolding a little boy.
Isn't that what he is?
Bert sulked and left soon, promising to return and get his cock sucked that night. Laura figured he'd probably find some other girl before then. He had a slight hard-on, and he looked in a sullen mood.
"Bye, Laura. Keep it ready for me. I'll be back tonight. Get this shit cleaned up by then."
"So long, Bert. Thanks for feeding us. I'm not cleaning up anything with his head, and I'm not screwing tonight or giving blow jobs."
He slammed his way out, and Laura cautiously moved to the liquor cabinet. It took her a half-hour to move herself the few feet to cross the big room. But she'd been ashamed to ask Bert for a drink.
Laura had only a few drinks, mainly because she was so ill that she could barely keep them down. Then she slept, trying to block out her disgrace from her mind.
A doorbell was ringing. It couldn't be Bert, because he always let himself in with a key.
Jesus! Maybe it's his mother!
Laura shuddered with fear and shame.
I'm not going to answer! I couldn't stand it to hear any more! No more!
It kept ringing for a long time.
Maybe it's Bet. Maybe she's forgiven me.
That thought jarred her into moving slowly toward the door. She moved slowly toward the buzzer to answer the doorbell. Her head throbbed with pain.
Laura waited by the open front door, holding onto a chair. Her senses recoiled at the odor there.
I have to sit down. I feel sick!
She half crawled back to the couch, leaving the door open.
If it's Elaine, maybe the smell will scare her away. I need a drink.
It was too late. Someone was approaching the front door.
A plump blonde girl walked in. It was Nancy, Bert's old girlfriend.
Or is he living with her now? God! She got even fatter than she was the night of the wedding!
Nancy sauntered in, obviously very nervous. She walked up to Laura and stood there, staring.
I guess she wonders what he sees in me. I look like hell. If I knew my rival was coming, I'd have tried to comb my hair. I'd probably scream if I even touched my head.
The girl was still staring. "Sit down," said Laura. She wasn't going to indulge in any more niceties than that. This repulsive creature was probably here to abuse her.
The blonde sat down awkwardly, her heavy thighs uncovered by her miniskirt. Her fat seemed go to go into rolls at the waist as she sat. Laura tried to concentrate on Nancy's fat. Maybe then she wouldn't hear what the girl said.
"I've come because of Bert's mother," began the girl.
Laura groaned inwardly.
Another round of abuse, by messenger.
"I've had enough," Laura answered. "I'm not going to listen to any more!"
The girl went on, ignoring that. "Bert and I are practically engaged, and here you come to try to break it up!" The girl had a peevish voice. Laura watched the rolls of fat in what should have been her waist. They bounced when she talked.
I need a drink.
"Bert's free to see whoever he wants to," said Laura, her head hurting.
"Old women?" the girl sneered.
The fat bounced. It was intriguing to watch. Laura tried to will herself away from this intruder. She wasn't well enough to get up and push her out.
"What business is it of yours? He doesn't want you any more."
"What business?" the girl screeched. "We're living together! We're practically married!'
Living together! The bastard!
"So Elaine sent you to do her dirty work?"
"I came on my own, and I insist that you stop seeing Bert! You're ruining his life! His whole future!"
Elaine must be pretty desperate about me if she'll settle for this pig as a daughter-in-law. Why does Bert keep her? He can get a beautiful girl. She must suck his cock for him.
Laura sighed.
Elaine's right. I wouldn't want an eighteen-year-old son of mine sleeping with a thirty-six-year-old woman.
The girl was still ranting. "… and Bert's parents are seeing a lawyer about taking action against you. And if you don't stop seeing him, I'll go to your school board and file moral charges against you. They won't want a teacher who corrupts young people!"