The door to the master bedroom was open so I looked in to find Julie alone in the bed. I entered, lay down beside her and kissed her.She opened her ey...s and said, “Hello lover. How are you?”“I’m fine, Cheeky. How are you?”“I’m great. I had a wonderful night and I know you enjoyed yours.”“Yes, it was good to be with Marg again. Where’s Cherie?”“She heard Marg when she walked down the passageway and went to join her. I thought she would be back by now. They must have a few things to talk about, I. Then Aunt Ann got sick and died several years later and it was Uncle Steve’s turn to rely on Dad.My uncle is several years older than dad and they have 2 girls, Betty and Veronica. Yes, Uncle Steve was a big fan of the Archie comic strip and dad often teased the girls that they should be glad they weren’t boys or one of them would have been named Jughead.Betty was the oldest, about 4 years my senior and Veronica was only a year older than me. They only lived a block and half over so we. That would have a considerable psychological impact on Sherrie, they said. It would put her at a disadvantage. One of my lawyer's legal aides, the young woman who'd been so sympathetic when I'd initiated the divorce papers, fussed over me for a few minutes, straightening my tie and brushing at some imaginary lint.She leaned in very close to me as I sat there. I could smell her perfume and if I'd let my eyes fall from hers, I'd have had a superb view down her open-necked blouse. When everyone. "Would you care for some tea?" I asked, trying to play the good host.She sniffed the air tentatively. "Earl Grey?" she asked.I chuckled. "Good nose," I quipped. "Yep, that's what's on the menu. Just finished brewing."She smiled thinly. "Yeah, that'd be nice."I ushered her into the kitchen. She sat the small table in the breakfast nook. I placed cups and saucers on the table, poured the tea, inquired after her sugar and milk preferences (none and none), and I sat.She was silent, savoring the.