“I nearly lost my mind,” she said. “I would have called the police and made a fool of myself. But I called Jack first, thank God. Laura, why won’t you tell me the truth? Why won’t you just admit that I make you nervous? This isn’t the first time I’ve driven you over to Jack’s. If you don’t tell me what I’m doing wrong how can I ever do anything right?” Her voice broke. “I feel as if I’m making your life intolerable. As if you’d rather move in with Jack and live in sin than put up with me. You might as well, you spend so much time in his bed.” “Marcie! Marcie, I don’t!” Laura was thunderstruck. “I’ve already talked to him, so don’t deny it, Laura.” “Marcie, honey, listen to me. I—” She looked up at Beebo and the look on Beebo’s face silenced her. “Marcie, we’ll have a long talk tonight. I’ll try to explain it to you. We can’t talk over the phone.” There was a brief pause on Marcie’s end. Then she said, “Are you at Jack’s now?” “I—no—I’m at the office.” “You must have just gotten there. I’ve been trying to get you all afternoon.” Laura got more bewildered, more tongue-tied, the more she lied. “Marcie, I can’t talk now,” she said urgently. “Please. I’ll come right home. I’ll explain.” “All right, Laura. But I’ll tell you right now, I’m ready to move out if you want me to. I’m sick and tired of getting on your nerves and not knowing why.” Laura shut her eyes and tried to control her voice. “Laura? Are you still there?” “Yes.” She cleared her throat. “I’ll see you tonight, Marcie.” She hung up and turned a pale face to Beebo. Beebo snorted and opened the refrigerator door. “She still straight?” she asked sarcastically. Laura was stung. “No,” she flung at her. “She’s falling in love with me.” “Don’t kid yourself, Bo-peep.” “I’m not kidding. And I’m not blind. She’s jealous of Jack. She thinks I spent the night with him and it’s her fault. She wants me home.” “How sweet,” said Beebo and chucked her under the chin. Laura pushed her hand away impatiently. “My clothes should be dry by now,” she said, getting up. “Call Jack,” said Beebo. “Ask him what he told your roommate.” Laura hated to do anything Beebo suggested, just because Beebo suggested it. But Beebo was right. Laura called him at the office. She got him five minutes before closing. “I found out from Mortin—the bartender at The Cellar,” he said, “And if you pull another fast one on me, Mother, by Jesus, I’m going to let you stew in your own juice. I called you a dozen times last night. You must have been out on Cloud Nine. Marcie’s mad as hell. She thinks I’m corrupting you.” “I know. I’m sorry,” Laura said earnestly. “Jack, what would I do without you?” “I don’t know. But I wish to hell _you_ did. Marcie’d like to see me behind bars.” “Jack, isn’t that a good sign? I mean she seems almost jealous.” “Oh, Christ,” he said, and then he laughed. “You’re really goofy for her, aren’t you?” Laura looked up at Beebo. “Yes,” she said. “I am.”