“Why hadn’t I heard about it?”
“There was no reason to discuss it, Perry. We signed the contract last fall and we don’t open until the first of May. But now we must rehearse.”
He looked up and his face had cleared a little. “You used to love him, Diana?”
“A little. Not as I love you, Perry.”
“He means nothing to you, nothing at all?”
“I wouldn’t say that. I’m still very fond of him and he was very good to me. We just got bored with each other and split up, but I still count him as a staunch friend.”
He looked sulky. “Staunch friend, my foot. I’ll bet he’s still nuts about you.”
Diana looked hurt and bewildered and seemed about to cry. “Perry, Perry, darling. I don’t understand you. What is this all about? What have I done to harm you? We were so happy, so very happy, and now all this. It seems so silly. Why? Why?” Tears welled up and spilled over. Perry wore the harassed indignant look of the eternal male confronted with the incomprehensible irrational feminine viewpoint.
“Good Lord! What do you expect? I guess I’m as tolerant and broadminded as the next one, and I’ve never thought it was my business to go poking my nose into your past, but can’t you see that this is a bit thick? When a guy shows up whom you admit is an old lover of yours, and you want me to receive him into the house as a friend of the family, it’s too much. Anybody’d be jealous. Don’t you think I have my pride?” His face settled into sullen, stubborn lines and the corners of his mouth twitched. “The free and easy business may be all right for casual love-making, but apparently you didn’t realize that I was serious. I thought we were married. I thought you felt the same way about me. I didn’t know what all this casual immorality you showed me amounted to.” He passed his hand over his face. “OK. I’ve been a sap. But don’t you worry. I’ll pack up and be out of here in no time. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me of course. I’ll figure up what I owe you and pay you back right away.”
Diana stood rigid, her hands clenched and her face screwed up like that of a child whose world has crumbled about her. Scalding tears pressed out of her tight shut eyes and splashed on her breast. He turned to go. She moved quickly and clung to him. “Perry! Perry! No! Don’t! What have I done? I don’t understand. Please, darling, please. Anything, but don’t just leave me alone.” She sobbed brokenly. Perry patted her awkwardly. Her sobbing continued. He turned her face up and wiped at her tears.
“Don’t cry kid. I can’t stand it. And let me go. It’s better that way. Stop it, kid, please. Oh Lord, what can I do?” The sobs abated, and died away. She sniffled and gulped.
“Perry, it’s some awful mistake. But tell me that you love me and you’re not going away.”
He looked troubled. “Well, I don’t want to go away. Listen, Dian’, I love you and I want to stay. Look. Will you call up this mug and tell him to stay away?”
She looked unhappy. “I can’t Perry. He’ll be here any minute.”
“What can we do then?”
“I don’t know.”
“Christ!” He strode over to the view windows and stared out, his fists jammed against his hips. Diana waited. Then he turned. “Look, Dian’. I guess I’ll have to be polite to this guy for today. After he’s gone we can figure out what to do about your contract and so forth.” She started to speak, then fell silent. “Well?”
“All right, Perry.” He smiled and took her in his arms and kissed her. He felt the warm glow of one who has done a magnanimous thing. He could not know that she was still deeply troubled.
As they were finishing lunch they heard the thump of a careless landing overhead. Shortly the door light glowed and there was admitted their guest. He was a young man, tall, well muscled and beautifully made. Perry noted with dissatisfaction his obvious good looks. He greeted Diana with “Hello, beautiful!,” swung her off her feet, kissed her, and set her down with a flourish. Diana turned uneasily to Perry.