Karen Young - In Confidence

“There is, but it’s not enough to maintain this house and all the other perks of our current lifestyle.”

“You’re planning to stay in the cabin at the lake, I assume.”

He nodded. “For the time being.”

“We could sell that, I suppose,” she said, looking beyond him at nothing in particular as she considered various possibilities.

“There’s one obvious solution that will take care of everything,” Ted said. Something in his tone caught her attention, but he turned away and, with his back to her, tossed off the rest of his drink.

“And what would that be?” she asked.

“You and the kids could move in with Dinah.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s the logical thing to do, Rachel.” He tipped the bottle and poured himself a fresh drink. “Now that Dinah’s out of her apartment and settled into her new house, I bet she’ll be happy to have you and the kids for a visit.”

“A visit.”

Hearing her lack of enthusiasm, he made an impatient sound. “It won’t be forever, goddamn it! Just phone her and see what she says before you blow off the idea. That’s all I’m saying.”

“It’s an imposition, Ted. Think about it. She’s a widow in her sixties. She isn’t used to young children. It’s too much to ask.”

“Explain the problem. She’ll understand.”

She stood looking at him, wondering at his audacity. “You’re really serious about this,” she remarked.

“Yeah.”

“And is it really only a separation, Ted? Or have you decided you want a divorce?”

“The only thing I’ve decided is that I want to be with Francine right now. I don’t know where that’ll go.” He brought the drink up, then set it down again. “It’s Walter who’s caused all this trouble, Rachel. He’s being a first-class son of a bitch.”

She stared. “Walter.”

“I just told you what he’s doing.”

“Ted. Wake up and smell the coffee. Walter isn’t the cause of your trouble. I can’t believe you! The trouble is your own selfish insistence on having an affair and damning the consequences.”

“Let’s not get started on that again, Rachel. Just tell me you’ll mention to Dinah the possibility of moving in with her temporarily. She’s crazy about the kids. It’ll be okay, you’ll see. And by the way, I’ve talked to a real estate agent. We can make a ton of money on this house.”

“You talked to an agent before even mentioning it to me?”

“I just asked,” he said, shrugging. “I figured you’d be happy to hear what a good investment we’re sitting on.”

Rachel simply gazed at him in silence for a long moment. “If you thought I was freaked out over your shoddy affair, Ted,” she said in a dangerously soft tone, “then you will really be shocked if you hang around another minute.”

“Oh, for crying out loud, Rachel.”

She pointed to the door. “Out, Ted. Now.”

Muttering an obscenity, he slammed his drink on the bar in disgust and left.

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