When I got downstairs and saw Gloria and Brian, I felt I couldn’t be in the same room with them. I sat in the kitchen to gather myself, but when I saw the flies feasting on the raw steaks that were supposed to have gone onto the grill, I burst out crying. Then I felt Gloria’s hands on my shoulders.

“I’m so ashamed, I don’t know what to say.”

“Shh, don’t say anything. You just sit there while I get these steaks on.” She put them under the broiler and slipped a block of frozen spinach into a saucepan.

“I don’t think I can eat.”

“Of course you can.” She took out the plates and began setting the table.

“Oh, Gloria, don’t! Yell at me—do something!”

“Yell at you for what?”

“You must be angry; you have to be!”

“I was, but not at you. And after I heard what went on upstairs, I don’t think I’m angry with her anymore.”

“What she did is inexcusable. I’ll never forgive her for it.”

“Don’t say that. She’s had her punishment. In fact, I think our being here is her punishment. We can stay at a motel.”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did. But I wish you wouldn’t.”

“We’ll see.”

In an obvious effort to lighten my mood while we ate, she got Brian to chatter about the flowers and the animals he had seen that afternoon. But the boy’s readiness to be cheerful and the bandage on his head depressed me even more.

“Something has to be done about her,” I said as we washed the dishes. “As soon as Frank gets home, I’m laying down some new rules.”

“Don’t get worked up over it again. The trouble will be over when we leave.”

“No, it won’t. She’s got the mistaken idea she runs this house. I’m going to see to it that idea goes right out the window.”

Gloria agreed to stay the night. When we took Brian upstairs, I got the cold, sick feeling that maybe Regina would attack again. I went to her room while Gloria tucked Brian in, and found her asleep clutching the Howdy Doody puppet Frank had given her. There was only contentment in her smooth brow and purring lips, but when I kissed her cheek I could smell the salty aftermath of her tears.

Downstairs, Gloria tried humoring me. I was ready for it. She widened her eyes dramatically, shook back her hair and ran her fingers through it, and said, “Whew, what a day! Mah deah, ah think we deserve some refreshment.” She took out a joint and plopped down onto the couch.

“I don’t think I should. Maybe I’ll have a drink instead.”

“You’ll have some of this. You are going to relax.”

I was in the mood to be told what to do. I wanted her to take me by the hand and lead me into oblivion.

She took two deep drags. “Now let’s think pastel thoughts. Lightness and air, that’s our need.”