|
Antifreeze(continued) Jill jumped out of bed, snatched up her pillow. "Just watch me," she snarled, and headed for the door. After a couple of steps she stopped. "Your father always went when called upon to do so, Derek. If he knew — God bless his repose — if he knew you were thumbing your nose at the example he so painstakingly set for you, he'd get his strap on you. And don't you forget it!" Then Jill continued toward the door. As she passed Derek's side of the bed on her way out, he grabbed one end of her pillow. Jill tried to yank it free, Derek yanked back. She cursed, demanded he let go. He refused, stared into his wife's eyes, as deadlock slowly wilted their tug of war. Then he said, "Jill, if you go I'll tell those women I froze you out, so help me God I will." "You wouldn't!" Jill seethed, her eyes wide. The silent threat in Derek's stare persisted. "Oh please, Derek," Jill sighed at last. "That would... oh God." Confounded, frustrated, she sagged down onto the bed. Turning over in bed, Derek woke up at three in the morning. He found Jill snuggled tight against him, snoring lightly. He woke her. She got up, brought a tray to the bedroom, and with a smile on her face, sat on the bed near Derek and watched him eat his breakfast. She took his free hand into hers. "Sweetheart, promise me something, please," she purred. "Sure." "Promise me you'll never ever breathe a word to anyone about what happened here last night." Derek shrugged and nodded his assent. "Never ever, okay?" Derek smiled, leaned to Jill and kissed her on the cheek. She hugged him closely, then left the bedroom and began to dress for work.
 |
