Chapter 53

           OnThursdaynightBobbyphonedagain."Hey,man,whatareyoudoing?"

           "Notmuch."

           "MindifIcomedownandhaveafewbeers?"

           "I’drathernothaveanyvisitorstonight."

           "Oh,comeon,man,I’lljuststayforafewbeers..."

           "No,I’drathernot."

           "WELL,FUCKYOUTHEN!"hescreamed.

           Ihungupandwentintotheotherroom.

           "Whowasthat?"Tammieasked.

           "Justsomebodywhowantedtocomeby."

           "ThatwasBobby,wasn’tit?"

           "Yes."

           "Youtreathimmean.Hegetslonelywhenhiswifeisatwork.Whatthehell’sthematterwithyou?"

           Tammiejumpedupandranintothebedroomandstarteddialing.Ihadjustboughtherafifthofchampagne.Shehadn’topenedit.Itookitandhiditinthebroomcloset.

           "Bobby,"shesaidoverthephone,"thisisTammie.Didyoujustphone?Where’syourwife?Listen,I’llberightdown."

           Shehungupandcameoutofthebedroom."Where’sthechampagne?"

           "Fuckoff,"Isaid,"you’renottakingitdownthereanddrinkingitwithhim."

           "Iwantthatchampagne.Whereisit?"

           "Lethimfurnishhisown."

           Tammiepickedupapackofcigarettesfromthecoffeetableandranoutthedoor.

           Igotoutthechampagne,uncorkeditandpouredmyselfaglass.Iwasnolongerwritinglovepoems.Infact,Iwasn’twritingatall.Ididn’tfeellikewriting.

           Thechampagnewentdowneasy.Idrankglassafterglass.

           ThenItookmyshoesoffandwalkeddowntoBobby’splace.Ilookedthroughtheblinds.Theyweresittingveryclosetogetheronthecouch,talking.

           Iwalkedback.