“I told him what you told me.” I was glad we had turned off the light because it would have been hard for me to explain the stunned look and sweat on my face if she seen it.

“What did he say?”

“Like I said, he didn’t make a big deal out of it. He went on about his business and never brought it up again.” The next thing I knew, Joyce started rubbing my thigh. I hoped she wasn’t trying to get me hot. I’d made love to Betty Jean so many times today, my pecker felt like it had been deboned. It was as limp as a wet dishrag.

“Joyce, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go on to sleep. It’s been a long, tiresome weekend. I don’t want to be too wore out in the morning when I open up the store.”

“All right, sugar.” She stopped rubbing on me and moved closer to her side of the bed. After a loud sigh, she went on. “Since you brought up the subject, I’ve been feeling more worn out than usual myself lately. My stomach has been queasy off and on for several days. I took some pills this afternoon. I hope neither one of us is coming down with something serious.”

“I think we just working too hard. Just keep taking them pills. That’s what I been doing. I feel better than I felt yesterday, and the day before.”

* * *

We had so much business Monday and Tuesday, I couldn’t even take a call from Joyce when she called Tuesday morning, two hours after I’d opened up. I didn’t get a chance to call her back until half a hour later. “Sadie told me you called. Sorry I couldn’t talk then. The smell-goods man was here and I was going over my order with him. Right after he left, the toilet overflowed, and I had to cover Buddy’s cash register while he fixed it and mopped up the mess.” I done my best to sound exasperated and rushed, so she wouldn’t talk long. “This is the first chance today I had time to slow down and catch my breath.”

“I was calling to see if you wanted to have lunch with me today. I sure would like some of that fried chicken at Mosella’s.”

“That would be nice, but I can’t do it today. If you had asked sooner, I could have planned my day better. I’m so busy I don’t have time to come pick you up.”

“I can take the bus over there.”