“It can’t be,” Rivka says, sneering; sweating, she’ll leave pit stains in my jacket. She reaches for me. “Shlomi,” she says, “a word?” I try to shake Rivka off, but her fingers dig into my skin. She drags me into the kitchen, then the pantry; she is strong, my wife. “I know that woman,” she says, as if admitting a terrible sin. “So?” I say, prying her hand off my arm, finger by finger. Rivka begins picking at the split ends of her curls. Without looking up, she says, “I think I brought that woman here.” A knock at the pantry door: then Egret: “What are you–” Rivka pulls him in, “Close the door behind you,” she instructs. “There isn’t room,” Egret and I say in unison. “Shlomi,” Rivka says, “I read that woman’s note– I didn’t mean to, it fell out of your pocket. I read it, then she appeared. I’m sure it is the same woman.” Egret looks at …show more content…
“Egret?” Egret nods his consent. Rivka rushes towards the front door. She wrestles her arm into my coat. “Don’t wait up,” Rivka calls as she, Egret and Joseline walk outside, slamming the door behind her. To an empty room, I say, “I’m not tired either,” Rivka’s alarm blares, and when I go to kick her (so as to encourage the silencing of the alarm) I find that our bed is empty, Rivka’s pillow untouched. I descend the stairs by twos and threes. The lights in the living room have been dimmed by articles of clothing: Rivka’s sheer dress gives one corner a purple glow, while the other corner has been made dark, and slightly orange by Joseline’s cardigan. Three figures rest on the carpet. I try to remember the last time the carpet was cleaned. The women: naked, stirring now, limbs entwined, are draped over Egret’s chest. The room reeks of Bourbon. Egret is the first to stir. He looks up at me, shrugs. I know my role: act cool, be rational. “Perhaps you would have been more comfortable on the couch,” I say. Upon hearing this, Rivka’s head snaps back at me. She wipes drool from the corner of her