Чужак в чужой стране

           Hell,wewerebothboredandonlyourkidskeptustogether–thatandherpossessiveness;Iknewshewouldneverletmegowithoutafightandascandal?andIdidn’thaveanystomachfortryingtoputtogetheranewmarriageatmyage,anyhow.SoIgotalittleontheside,whenIcouldgetawaywithit–acollegeprofessorhasmanytemptations,fewsafeopportunities–andRuthwasquietlybitter.Orsometimesnotsoquiet.Andthenwejoinedup."Samgrinnedhappily."AndIfellinlovewithmyownwife.Number-onegalfriend."

           Sam’swordshadbeenveryquiet,anintimateconversationwalledbynoiseofeatingandcheerfulcompany.Hiswifewasfardownthetable.Shelookedupandsaidclearly,"That’sanexaggeration,Jubal.IthinkI’maboutnumbersix."

           Herhusbandcalledout,"Stayoutofmymind,beautiful!–we’retalkingmentalk.GiveLarryyourundividedattention."Hepickedupahardroll,threwitather.

           Shestoppeditinmid-trajectory,threwitbackathimwhilecontinuingtotalk;Samcaughtitandbutteredit."I’mgivingLarryalltheattentionhewants?untillater,maybe.Jubal,thatbrutedidn’tletmefinish.Number-sixplaceiswonderful!Becausemynamewasn’tevenonthelisttillwejoinedthechurch.Ihadn’tratedashighassixwithSaminthepasttwentyyears."ShedidthenturnherattentionbacktoLarry.