But it was only for a while. After about half an hour, when Arlene had just about been ready to fall asleep, her mother stormed into her room.
"Well!" said the woman. "So now the truth comes out!"
Arlene looked up. "What truth?" she asked.
"I just spoke to your father," said the woman. "And he just spoke to your ex-boss."
Arlene's face turned white. "What did he say?" she asked cautiously.
"That you were fired because of your loose morality in the office," she said deliberately and slowly. "In other words, because you are the office whore!"
"What?" Arlene was astounded. "Mr. Halsted said that?"
"He told your father that. You can imagine how upset your poor father was when he heard that. The office whore!"
"But mother! How could he, say that? That's untrue!"
"I doubt that, Arlene. It's that boy you were going with. That Eddie. He made you a whore. Now I want you to get out of his house. I don't want a whore living here. You're filthy, Arlene. Dirty. Filthy. You have brought shame to this house and I want you to leave it so we can be clean again."
Arlene was stunned. "Mother! How can you say that to me? I'm your daughter."
"Not any more you're not. You're no daughter of mine. You're a filthy and disgusting whore! I told your father that you would be out of here by the time he came home from work. Now out! Get out! Get out, you whore! Move it! I don't ever want to see your slutty face again!"
CHAPTER EIGHT
Arlene had been toned out of her job, tossed out of her home. She had no place to go and no money to find a place.
Who could she call? Where could she go? She was becoming desperate.
She called up the office, disguising her voice to the receptionist. She wanted to speak to Suzie. Maybe she could move in with her and Carrie, her roommate.
"Well, I guess so," said Suzie. "I'd have to ask Carrie and she won't be home until midnight."
"Could I stay with you until then?" asked Arlene. "I have no place to go now."
"I guess so," said Suzie, who hated making any sort of a decision until she had checked with Carrie. "And oh, by the way, guess who got fired."
"Me," said Arlene.
"No, no, besides you. Bill Sample. He was so popular, everyone was so surprised, Mr. Halsted just called him into the office, and dismissed him. No one really knows why."
"Well, it doesn't matter," said Arlene, who wondered now whether it was Bill who had told Mr. Halsted. "What's your address?"
"22-05 Pine Circle. It's a big house. Carrie and I have the entire top floor."
"Thanks. Will you be coming in after work so I can meet you?"
"Uh, sure," said Suzie. "I guess so. I mean, I was planning to go out for a drink, but that's okay. I'll let you in."
"I don't want to make you change your plans on account of me," said Arlene.
"I said it was okay. It doesn't matter anyway." Suzie hung up. She was really confused. Arlene getting fired. Arlene getting kicked out of her house. Bill Sample getting fired. The entire world was going topsy turvy.
Arlene went over to Suzie's and Carrie's place and looked at her watch. It was still early. Suzie wouldn't be home for another hour. Perhaps Carrie would still be home. She could explain the situation and then maybe she wouldn't have to wait until midnight to find out if she had a place to stay or not.
She rang the downstairs bell. To her relief, Carrie was in and let her into the apartment.
"Excuse me," said Arlene, "but I'm a friend of Suzie's, and…"
"Oh, you must be Arlene," said Carrie. "Suzie phoned me after you spoke to her and explained what happened. She was going to call you back, but remembered that you weren't anywhere you could be reached."
"Um, is it okay, you know, is it okay if I stay here for a while? A few days at the most. I mean until I can find another job and place to stay. I won't be in the way."
"Sure," said Carrie, "no trouble at all. You'll have to sleep on the sofa, and put up with my crazy schedule, but it will be great."
"Thanks, Carrie, thanks a lot," said Arlene, who put down her small suitcase on the floor. "I really appreciate that."
Carrie offered to give Arlene a drink and the two girls chatted until Suzie came home.
When Suzie did come home, she was not alone. "Guess who I brought along with me?" she said, as she opened the front door, obviously standing next to someone.
"Who?" asked Arlene and Carrie. Just then, Bill Sample appeared in the doorway. "Bill!" exclaimed Arlene. "I hear you got the axe, too."
"Yeah," he said. "Old man Halsted just called me into his office and told me my services were no longer needed. Just like that. Poof! Now I'm out of a job."
"Yeah, join the club," said Arlene. "What did he fire you for?" asked Bill. "I don't know," she said, feeling morose all over again. "I don't want to talk about it."
"That's right," said Carrie. "Let's not talk about work and jobs and crap like that. Arlene and I have already started to have a party. What are you drinking, blue eyes?"
Bill smiled. He liked Arlene and he liked Suzie, and he was beginning to like Carrie. He was sure that he was not going to regret having been fired. This evening might not have come about.
"I'll have whatever you two are having," said Bill.
"And I'll have the same," echoed Suzie.
"What am I having?" inquired Arlene, looking at Carrie. "I don't know what it is, but it sure is awfully good."
"It's a stinger," replied Carrie. "Brandy and creme de menthe. And it sure does taste good."
Carrie went to fix two more drinks. Suzie and Bill made themselves comfortable on the sofa and Arlene was immediately cheered up their presence.
"I'm glad that you're going to stay with us for a while," said Suzie. "I'm sure that the three of us are going to get along quite well."
"You mean the four of us," said Bill. "I lost my job too. Could I stay with you?"
The three girls laughed. Carrie had returned with the drinks and handed one each to Suzie and Bill. "Sure," said Carrie. "Anyone with such big blue eyes can stay as long as he likes."
"His blue eyes aren't all that's big," muttered Arlene, half under her breath, half giddy with liquor.
Bill laughed. "Mustn't tell tales out of school," he said to Arlene. "Besides it will be less of a surprise."
Carrie giggled and Suzie blushed. Arlene was ready for another drink. She held out her glass, but Carrie pointed the way to the liquor supply.
With Arlene temporarily out of the room, Carrie changed seats and sat next to Bill. Bill was now in the middle between the two roommates, a position he enjoyed.
When Arlene returned, she saw both girls vying for Bill's attention.
"Hey!" she cried. "What about me?" She immediately sat on the floor at Bill's feet.
Bill was enjoying the attention that the three girls were lavishing on him. He knew he was quite attractive to girls, and he did nothing to discourage their worshiping of him. With two girls at this sides, and another one at his feet, he indeed felt like a God. He hoped the girls would be willing to sacrifice their virginity (or what was left of it) to him.
"I'm sure glad we came here instead of going out for a drink," said Suzie. "It's much friendlier here."
"And the drinks are better," said Carrie, who had gotten up to get herself a refill. "Anyone else want some more?"
All three said yes, and Carrie brought out the brandy. They all felt like getting smashed.
"Here's to mean old Halsted," said Bill, raising his glass. "Old Halsted, the old fucker."
"You can say that again," giggled Arlene.
"Then I will. Old Halsted, the old fucker. He would fuck his grandmother if he thought he could profit from it."
Arlene was getting sillier by the minute. She liked the idea of Halsted being called a fucker, especially when he had actually fucked her. "Halsted can't even keep it up," she told the crowd. "He's an old fart."