“Thomas, what are you doing?” she said, fighting tears.
Thomas didn’t answer. Buttoning his coat, he turned to leave.
“Thomas, talk to me. What happened?”
Thomas yanked his arm away from Cassi with such force she almost fell to the ground. She hesitated as he opened the door and stormed outside.
Cassi caught up to him at the bottom of the steps.
“Thomas, if you’re going to leave, then I’m coming. Let me get my coat.”
Thomas stopped short. “I don’t want you with me. Why don’t you just stay here and enjoy your affair!”
Confused, Cassi watched him walk away. “My affair? This is your affair. I didn’t want to come tonight!”
Thomas didn’t respond. Cassi gathered up the skirt of her long dress and ran after him. By the time she reached the Porsche she was shaking violently, but she didn’t know whether it was from fear or the cold.
“Why are you acting this way?” she sobbed.
“I might be a lot of things, but I’m not stupid,” snapped Thomas, slamming the car door against her. The engine started with a roar.
“Thomas, Thomas,” called Cassi, beating against the window with one hand and trying to open the door with the other. Thomas ignored her and backed up quickly. If Cassi had not stepped back, letting go of the car, she would have been pulled down. Staring mutely, she watched the Porsche roar down the long driveway.
Mortified, she turned back to the house. Perhaps she could hide in one of the upstairs rooms until she could get a cab. When she reached the foyer, she was relieved to see the guests were again busy drinking and laughing. Only George and Dr, Ballantine were waiting at the door.
“I’m so sorry , Cassi said uneasily.
“Don’t be sorry,” said Dr. Ballantine. “I understand George has had a little talk with you. We are concerned about Thomas and think he’s overworking. We have plans that will tighten his load, but he’s been so upset lately that we haven’t had the opportunity to discuss it with him.”
Ballantine exchanged glances with George.
“That’s right,” agreed George. “I think this unfortunate episode tonight just underlines what we’re saying.”
Cassi was too upset and confused to respond.
“George also mentioned,” said Ballantine, “that he gave you my private extension at the hospital. I’ll be happy to see you any time you want, Cassi. In fact, why don’t you stop by my office tomorrow?
“Now, would you like to rejoin the party?” asked Ballantine, “or would you rather one of my boys drove you home?”
“I’d like to go home,” said Cassi, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Fine,” said Ballantine. “Just a moment.” He turned and mounted the stairs to the second floor.
“I am sorry,” said Cassi to George when they were alone. “I don’t know what got into Thomas.”
George shook his head. “Cassi, if he knew how I really felt about you, he’d have every reason to be jealous. Now smile. I was just paying you a compliment.” He stood, gazing fondly at her until Ballantine’s son brought the car around.
Cassi didn’t know what to expect when she turned the key in her front door. She was surprised to see a light in the living room. If Thomas was home and not in the hospital, she assumed he would be locked in his study. Nervously, she walked through the hall straightening her hair as best she could. But it was her mother-in-law, not Thomas, who was waiting for her.
Patricia was seated in a wingback chair, her face lost in the shadowy light of a single floorlamp. Upstairs, Cassi heard a toilet flush.
For a long time neither woman spoke. Then Patricia stiffly stood up, her shoulders bowed as if under a heavy weight. Her face was drawn, accentuating the lines around her mouth. She walked directly up to Cassi and looked her in the eye.
Cassi held her ground.
“I’m shocked,” she said at last. “How could you have done this? Maybe if he weren’t my only child it wouldn’t hurt so much.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” demanded Cassi.
“And to pick one of Thomas’s colleagues,” Patricia went on, ignoring the younger woman. “A man who has been steadily trying to erode his position. If you wanted an affair, why not a stranger?”