S Is for Silence

day?”
    He undressed quickly while Violet pulled the covers down and got into bed. They made love, but with not quite the ardor he’d experienced the day before. His performance wasn’t all he’d hoped for either, though Violet was nice about it, saying, “Oh, quit fretting. Everybody has an off day. You’re fine.”
    Afterward she swung her feet out of bed and sat up. Despite her reassurances, he was wary, wanting to make it up to her. He put his arms around her from behind, nuzzling her hair, kissing the smooth skin in the middle of her back. He could feel himself coming to life again where it counted. “Check this,” he said.
    “Quit slobbering. You’re getting on my nerves.”
    Teasingly he tugged on a strand of her hair. “So how does it feel to have your very own Bel Air?”
    That brought a smile. She said, “Good. It’s great. When Foley came home this morning he parked it out in front and had me look through the window. I could hardly believe my eyes.”
    She made it sound like Foley deserved the credit. Chet would have kidded her about it, but he sensed that under it all, she was depressed. “Hey, Henny Penny. What’s wrong? Has the sky fallen in on you?”
    “I’m fine.”
    “I know you better than that. What is it?”
    “I just don’t see how I can keep doing this. Foley and I got into this huge fight last night and the fucker tore up the house. It’s like he can sense something’s off. He hasn’t figured it out, but it won’t take him long. Once he picks up the scent, he’s a regular bloodhound.”
    “Has he said anything?”
    “No, but there’s this look in his eye and it’s scaring me to death. I’m skating on thin ice. One wrong move and…”
    “What?”
    “I don’t know, but something bad.”
    “Oh, come on. It can’t be as serious as all that.”
    “Easy for you to say.”
    He felt a whisper of fear. “So let’s take a little break until he calms down again. Tomorrow’s a holiday. I have work to do anyway so there’s no way to meet. This weekend, you can pal around with him. Go to the fireworks, take a picnic supper, do whatever you have to do. You’ll have him eating out of your hand.”
    “Oh, sure. Make light of it. Good old Violet. Just hang out and jolly him along, kiss his ass, suck his dick, anything to pacify the guy, who’s been a maniac from birth.”
    “I wasn’t making light.”
    “Well, you don’t live with him. You don’t know what he’s like. You’re not the one he’s busting in the chops every other day. Look it this, I still got a bruise from where he threw a friggin’ coffeepot at me.”
    “So why not leave?”
    “And go where? How far do you think I’d get?”
    “As far as you like. If it’s a matter of money, I can help you out.”
    “It’s not money, Chet. Is that all you think about?”
    “What then?”
    “Shit. How can I make myself clear? It’s just this feeling I get…like I’m in this alone. Who cares about me, right? In this town, I’m dirt, lower than the low.”
    “I care.”
    “Uh-hun.”
    “I’m serious. I care deeply about you.”
    “I know what you care about. Getting laid.”
    “Now wait a minute—”
    “I’m just kidding you, okay? I’m trying to lighten up. What good’s it ever done me to feel sorry for myself?”
    “Violet, I’m on your side. That’s the point I’m trying to make. I’ve been thinking about it and it’s not a good idea for you to stay under his roof. So what occurred to me was finding you another place to live—”
    “Yeah…well, not to worry. I’ll figure it out.”
    “But why won’t you let me help when I’m seriously concerned?”
    “Come on, Chet. ‘Seriously concerned?’ You think I don’t see what’s going on? This isn’t about me. This is about you and what you want. These past two days, you haven’t asked me one thing about myself except do I use birth control. Now how’s that for concern? Like you’re such a stallion I might get knocked up and ruin the rest of your life.”
    He could feel his face go blank.
    She caught his look and relented. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that. I don’t even know what I’m talking about. Why don’t we just chalk it up to that time of the month.”
    “Is that it? Why didn’t you say so? Come here—”
    “Would you quit with the phony tone of voice. That’s not going to solve my problem. Don’t you get that?” She got up and paced once across the room before she sat down again. She leaned forward, with her