Chapter 2

Between the time Eddie left and her daughter came home from practice at school, Gloria Busch began having second thoughts about her tryst with Eddie Nolan. She’d enjoyed her experience immensely and still marveled at the skills young Mr. Nolan had at lovemaking. He may not be the consummate lover of all time, but given a few more years of experience, he may very well become such. She had to admit to herself that she was enamored of the young man but chastised herself for such folly. The age difference alone would make a long-term relationship untenable. People would laugh at them, and call her a cradle robber, or worse: a pedophile, despite the fact he was at the age of consent. People could be so cruel. She could see no possibility of any permanent happiness for her and Eddie. She was depressed, and as she and Holly were in the kitchen, ready to start supper, her daughter sensed it and asked:

“What’s wrong, mom? You act like your chin’s dragging the floor. Is work going alright?”

“Yes, dear, work is fine. I just have a few things on my mind.” she replied.

“What kind of things? Anything I can help you with?” Holly probed.

“Oh, some things that are happening to me that I’m not sure about.” she said dejectedly.

“Gee, mom, is it man trouble? Did you meet someone you want to bring home?”

“In a way, honey. It’s not something I really want you to know about.” she sobbed.

“Mom! Now you’ve got me really worried. What is it?” Holly shouted.

Gloria Busch had sunken into a kitchen chair and was crying openly. Holly was beside herself, not knowing, but trying to understand what her mother was crying about. She decided to begin probing by asking simple questions:

“Okay, is it a man?”

Gloria nodded.

“Is it someone at work?”

Her mother shook her head.

“It’s someone you met outside of work?”

Mrs. Busch nodded.

“Is he already married?”

A negative shake of her head.

“Have you already had sex with him?”

A hesitant nod.

“When?”

Gloria pointed her finger at the floor.

“Here? Today?” Holly shouted.

A violent nod and an anguished cry.

Holly ran out of the kitchen and went directly to her mother’s bedroom. Entering, she saw the disheveled bedclothes. Going to the bed, she searched for any telltale signs of sex, such as a puddle of semen. Finding nothing, she put her face to the sheets and inhaled. Not being an expert in such things, she could only surmise the scents she smelled were body fluids other than semen. She was puzzled, but had a moment of fear, so she returned quickly to the kitchen.

“Mother, were you raped? Did he get you in the bedroom and rape you?” she screamed.

Such an exclamation from her daughter shocked her out of her self-imposed misery:

“No!” she cried.

“It wasn’t rape. It was wonderful. So wonderful!” she blubbered.

“So, if it was so wonderful, why are you so sad and crying? You should be happy and looking forward to doing it again.” she exclaimed.

“Because I don’t know if I can do it again.” she whimpered.

“Why? Did he leave town?” Holly guessed.

“No. Oh, Holly, honey, if I tell you, please don’t be mad at me. Please?” Gloria worried.

“Mom, why would I be mad at you for finding a great lover?” she argued.

Into the ensuing silence, Holly’s mind was in turmoil, but as she ran things through her young mind:

“Wait! Do I know this person?” she ventured.

Gloria was slow to respond, but eventually nodded and renewed her sobbing.

“Is it my Eddie, er, I mean my Ex-Eddie?” she shrieked.

Her mother just hung her head lower and nodded slightly, still sobbing.

“Mother? You fucked Eddie? Today? Here?” she accused.