“I don’t want to talk to him.” “Don’t be silly. Talk to him.” Unwillingly Laura took the phone, sitting on the bed beside Marcie. She was so conscious of Marcie’s body stretched out there beside her that she had trouble concentrating on Jack. He said, “Mother, I’ve been an ass.” “I know.” “Forgive me.” “You’re forgiven,” she said. “Now go to bed. Goodnight.” “But I am in bed,” he said. He was still pronouncing each word with elaborate care. “My question is this—did you really mean it?” “Mean what?” said Laura looking at the faint moonlit curve of Marcie’s leg. “I’d swear you said you loved me,” he said. “You were dreaming.” “Do you?” “No. Jack, please go to bed. Let me go.” “If I went any more to bed than I already am, Mother—and don’t think that was easy to say, because it wasn’t—I don’t know where I’d be. Say you love me.” “No. Jack, it’s late. I’m tired.” “Tomorrow is Saturday. You can sleep.” “I don’t care what tomorrow is, I’m tired right now. Now goodnight.” “Do something for me, Mother.” Marcie turned over, lying across her pillow on her stomach. “What?” Laura said softly, losing contact with him. “Promise.” “Okay.” She whispered it. “Kiss Marcie for me.” “_What?_” Laura was shocked into total awareness. “Goodnight, Mother,” Jack said. And hung up. Laura replaced the receiver and sat uncertainly on the bed next to Marcie for a minute. She didn’t dare to wonder what Jack meant. She had enough to do just keeping her hands off Marcie’s smooth behind. She felt afraid of her. _What would Beth have done if it had been me lying there?_ she wondered, and knew at once. Beth would have laid down on top of her, her front to Marcie’s back. Beth would have kissed her neck, her ears, her shoulders. Beth would have— “Laura,” Marcie murmured. “Yes?” Her throat was dry, making it hard to answer. “We’d better get to sleep.” It was all over, then. Laura had waited too long. Maybe Marcie would have repulsed her anyway. Maybe her hesitation had saved her. On the other hand, maybe—Laura burned to know. But Marcie had lost the playful, childish, experimental mood, and was already half asleep. There might never be another chance. Chapter Six At work on Monday Laura’s phone rang halfway through the morning. “Doctors Hollingsworth, Carstens, and Hagstrom,” she said, business-like. What a mouthful! she thought to herself. Her listener apparently had the same idea. “Jesus, what a tongue-twister,” he said. “What happened to Smith?” “There is no Dr. Smith,” she said, taken aback. “Oh, don’t be so damn formal, Mother. It’s not like you. I thought I’d better apologize while I’m sober. I was drunk the last time.” “I know. How are you, Jack?” She smiled at the thought of his face. “Bored. But healthy. I didn’t mean to fall asleep in your face Friday night.” “It’s okay. Forget it.” “Just for that I’ll give you a free ticket to see my analyst. He’s a great guy. He needs you.” “He needs me?”