Get a hold of yourself, she admonished. You’re only feeling sorry for yourself, just like the doctor said, and that’s no good. Do something. Read a book or turn on the television. But Carla didn’t feel like either one. Take a walk… But she just didn’t feel like going out. Well, do something! So she finished her drink and poured herself another.
Crickets sawed a mournful dirge outside, and the greyness of a day gone by settled over the house. Carla sipped, liking the dull shadows, for it matched her mood. But she knew that this was no good. Her breathing was loud in her ears, loud in the room, and something had to be done before she cracked. She’d cut out the drinking and save herself for some attractive man who’d replace her lost Arnold, and she’d marry him. She needed a man, and Lord knew Tamera needed a father to make a normal home and supply the necessary love and understanding an adolescent required. And the direction and guidance so that she wouldn’t make foolish mistakes that could kill her or ruin her life.
Tomorrow, she’d start, Carla promised herself. Tomorrow she’d have a real motherly chat with Tamera and tell her that things were going to be different from now on, and that maybe her mother wasn’t such a bad gal after all, and that she loved her daughter very, very much. She’d…
The doorbell interrupted her reverie, and Carla almost dropped the brandy from the surprise. “Who… who’s there?”
“Mrs. West?” a husky, deep voice came through the door. “I’m Mr. McDonald. Eddie’s father. I’d like to speak to you, if I may.”
“Of course.” Carla hurried to the door, opened it to let Mr. McDonald in. He was tall, almost as tall as Arnold, and older but in a distinguished way. He was dressed casually in a lime green polo shirt and matching slacks, loafers on his feet. He smiled at her, his mustache curling up in a friendly manner.
“What… what is it? Is Tamera all right? I mean…”
“Oh, yes,” McDonald said with a chuckle. “Don’t worry about the kids. I think they’re at one of their friend’s house, swimming or something.” He waited as Carla shut the door and ushered him into the living room. “Fine place you have here, Mrs. West. Fine place.” And a fine hunk of woman, too, he thought to himself. His penis lurched in his pants as he eyed the lovely young mother of the girl his son had screwed silly last night with appreciative glances; just the sight of her, in her brief shorts and a man-type shirt that was tied beneath her large, firm breasts with a knot, leaving the satiny tanned belly exposed below made him want to tear off his clothes and thrust his cock up between her smooth, satin-like thighs without a moment’s hesitation. But he knew that this was not the moment, that before the physical conquest of her obviously proud flesh had to come a stage of mental submission, a lessening of the barriers a stranger automatically erects towards another, but when the spirit of softness and acceptance had been reached…
“Well, what can I do for you, Mr. McDonald?”
“Mort, please,” he said humbly.
“But I hardly think that…”
“Well, you see, that’s why I’m here, Mrs. West. Or… can I call you Carla?” The question was rhetorical; McDonald hurried on with his talk. “You see, my son and your daughter have become friendly, quite friendly in fact, and I thought that under the circumstances it would be nice if the parents at least were acquainted. Tamera’s a fine girl, Carla, one you should be proud of, and I don’t think that Eddie has ever been out with a nicer girl in all of his dating years.”
“Why, that’s…”
“I can certainly see where her charm and beauty comes from.” McDonald interrupted her and continued. “She is certainly like her mother.”
“Oh, Mr.—I mean, Mort,” Carla said, brightening from the compliment. She patted her hair, feeling a little flustered. “Why, why thank you, that was very kind to say.”
“I mean it, Carla.” He smiled with a faint touch of the Clark Gable look to him, Carla thought. And his voice was so warm and mellow, fitting his very respectable character. And he was so good looking for an older man… McDonald pressed on his sugary attack. “I can’t imagine why some lucky man hasn’t snapped you up long ago. I heard about the tragic loss of your husband from Tamera, and naturally I know how you feel.” He looked properly saddened at her, and she nodded her head, a pang of memory about Arnold momentarily intruding. “Have you spoken much to Eddie?” he asked.
“Why, no,” Carla said, “After all, Tamera’s only been out with him twice. Three times, counting today.” At least she knew where she was; well, she didn’t have to worry, she guessed, not if Eddie had such a nice father…