Richard Laymon: Tread Softly

"You assume correctly. The witch is vanquished. The curse went with her."

"Want to tell me about it?"

"Nope. Benny wants to tell you about it. He's very insistent on that point. If it weren't for him, things might've gone… a bit sour." "He saved the day, huh?"

"I'd say so." Karen slipped her hand free. She bent over and lifted her purse from the floor. As she opened it,

Scott slid his hand up the smooth bare skin of her thigh.. She took a felt-tipped pen from her purse. She didn't try to stop his hand. She caught her breath and arched her back.

"Well now," he said.

"Take the pen," she whispered.

"And what should I do with it?"

"Autograph your son's casts."

"Casts?"

"In the plural."

"Oh, no."

"Oh, yes."

He took the pen from her hand. "Any more surprises?"

"Not at the moment."

"Then give me another kiss."

"The kids are waiting."

"We'll make it brief."

"But not too brief?"

He drew her down to him and held her and kissed her moist, parted lips, and wanted never to stop.

"Christ, gang!" Julie called from the doorway. "Break it up!"

The End