he bodies are buried； I guess。〃
The words clanged back viciously in his mind。
She came closer； looking at him； and he unconsciously retreated a step； unable
to help himself。 He knew what she was doing。 She was trying to smell liquor on
him。 Probably she wasn't even aware of it herself； but he was； and it made him
feel both guilty and angry。
〃Your mouth is bleeding；〃 she said in a curiously flat tone。
〃Huh？〃 He put his hand to his lips and winced at the thin stinging。 His index
finger came away bloody。 His guilt increased。
〃You've been rubbing your mouth again；〃 she said。
He looked down and shrugged。 〃Yeah； I guess I have。〃
〃It's been hell for you； hasn't it？〃
〃No； not so bad。〃
〃Has it gotten any easier？〃
He looked up at her and made his feet start moving。 Once they were actually in
motion it was easier。 He crossed to his wife and slipped an arm around her
waist。 He brushed aside a sheaf of her blond hair and kissed her neck。 〃Yes；〃 he
said。 〃Where's Danny？〃
〃Oh； he's around somewhere。 It's started to cloud up outside。 Hungry？〃
He slipped a hand over her taut； jeans…clad bottom with counterfeit lechery。
〃Like ze bear； madame。〃
〃Watch out； slugger。 Don't start something you can't finish。〃
〃Fig…fig； madame？〃 he asked； still rubbing。 〃Dirty peeotures？ Unnatural
positions？〃 As they went through the arch； he threw one glance back at the box
where the scrapbook
（whose？）
was hidden。 With the light out it was only a shadow。 He was relieved that he
had gotten Wendy away。 His lust became less acted； more natural； as they
approached the stairs。
〃Maybe；〃 she said。 〃After we get you a