Chapter 63
For the second time, I pour my heart out.
I tell Jennifer about Sam and everything that’s happened between us since we moved into the Glendale.
The only concession I make is to leave Kalina’s name out of it.
I have no idea how close Frank and Jennifer are to their neighbor, but I know that they’ve all been living here for many years.
The last thing I want to do is start yet another feud with one of the neighbors.
But Jennifer quickly guesses who Sam has been having an affair with, probably because of his reaction earlier in the day.
After all, you don’t hammer on someone’s door like that for no reason.
“Kalina has always been flirty,” she says, watching me intently over the top of her wineglass.
“I’m not making excuses for the woman. Far from it—I don’t believe in wrecking relationships—but it’s who she is.
Still, I wouldn’t have expected her to get entangled with one of the neighbors.
It’s simply unacceptable. I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you.” I’m overcome by a sudden desire to put this awful day behind me.
Perhaps tomorrow I’ll be able to think more clearly.
Of course, the two large glasses of wine I’ve consumed aren’t helping.
I glance down at my phone on the coffee table and see that it’s nine o’clock.
I’ve been unburdening myself to Jennifer for more than two hours.
I put my glass down. “I hope you don’t mind, Jennifer, but I’m really tired. ”
“Not at all, my dear.” Jennifer has been nursing the same glass all night. Now she finishes it off and stands up. “If you need anything, Frank and I are just next door. Don’t hesitate to call, day or night.”
I thank her and promise I’ll keep that in mind, then walk her to the door.
In the hallway, she hesitates, then leans close and wraps her arms around me in an unexpected hug.
“I simply hate the thought of you being in this apartment all alone tonight,” she says in my ear, her voice barely above a whisper. “Perhaps you should consider going to stay with your parents for a few days, or maybe a friend.”
“I’ll be fine,” I reassure her, then close the door and make my way back into the living room.
I flop back down onto the couch and turn the TV on, glad for the background noise.
Being in the apartment without Sam is strange, like a piece of me is missing.
I half expect him to appear in the bedroom doorway as if he’s just been changing or taking a shower.
But the truth is inescapable, and eventually I drag myself up and head for the bedroom.
But when I go to climb into the bed, an image of Kalina lying there naked comes into my head, Sam making furious love to her.
Nope. I’m not sleeping on those sheets. No way in hell.
I drag the comforter back and strip the bed, then take the sheets and pillowcases and dump them outside the bedroom door in a wad.
Tomorrow, I’ll dispose of them for good in the trash compactor.
Next, I go to the closet and find another set and a blanket, then remake the bed.
Only then do I feel comfortable. But even after I climb in, thoughts of Sam and Kalina fill my head.
I can almost feel the heat of her body and hear the gasps of pleasure.
Stop it! Stop it right now. If I keep on like this, I’ll end up sleeping on the couch, or worse, I won’t end up sleeping at all.
Today has been awful, and God, do I want it over.
I pick up the remote, turn on the TV, and go to the Discovery Channel, where I find a documentary that’s sure to numb my brain.
Then I lie there with my eyes glued to the screen.
And it works.
After about twenty minutes, my eyelids droop, and I fall into a restless sleep.