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Show 180 "It's been busy today." She caught the smell of aftershave on him, it was English Leather. She had noticed that before, she realized. "You wouldn't believe the traffic." "It's Saturday," she said. "Don't I know it. Do you work tomorrow?" "Yes. The late shift. Why?" "I just wanted to know who I'll be sharing the misery with." And she had to laugh at his tired, but good humored face-the grin and bear it set to his mouth. A customer came up to the counter, he turned to leave; and it was then she saw a small fresh smudge on the collar of his shirt. A reddish lipstick smear. For the rest of the day, that smear would pop into her mind. Like a freshly cut flower, a rose petal. The vivid redness on the pure whiteness of the collar: she was fascinated by it. Why? The image of him, with the young blond clinging to his neck, was not irritating to her; rather, she felt his presence, his person, in a new, exciting way. The texture of his face, that glowing skin, the blond curls like tendrils falling about his forehead-she felt him in a strangely powerful way. The girl at his side was immaterial-it was his response to her, that girl, that occupied Sharon's imagination. Never had he been more intriguing. That evening dinner went well. Although Katie was out on a Legion meeting, and Sharon had to cook it alone. The only drawback was Marty, who was taking even longer than usual to eat. He was always the last one done, often Sharon was |