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Show 206 There was a pause. She had bought a Christmas card for him, one of those joke cards, about Christmas hangovers; she had planned to drop it by the store later this afternoon, since she would be at the center shopping, and he was to have worked, to give it to him. "Is there anything you need?" "No. Nothing," he said. "Did Mr. Richards tell you I quit?" "Yes. He told me this morning." There was another pause. "To tell you the truth, Sharon, I don't think I want to see anyone from the store." "What do you mean?" "I just want to forget about last night. As soon as I possibly can. Just forget it. Do you understand?" "I don't know." "Look. It's not you or anything. Believe me. I just don't want to see that store-or talk with anybody from it-or see anybody from it-as long as I live. Ever again. This is the best way for me. Okay?" She stood looking at the phone receiver. At the firm black plastic. He had been upset last night, of course, but she had no idea that he felt like this. It had something to do, she sensed, with his sense of manhood, with everyone seeing him so afraid-but hadn't they all been afraid? She wanted to tell him this, but there was no way to talk about it. To mention it, even, would be an insult to him. She put her mouth back to the receiver. "Okay," she said. "I understand." He didn't answer. |
