She really couldn't imagine why she was dwelling on the events of last Sunday … except it seemed to mark some kind of turning point in their deteriorating sexual relationship, as though her rejection that afternoon had really discouraged her husband. But that was absurd, they were still practically newlyweds and only needed time to make these adjustments and solve whatever problems had arisen. It wasn't a problem as far as she was concerned … although she found sex disappointing and not very enjoyable at best, she would go through with it a reasonable amount of times for Ray's sake. She and Ray might have different temperaments, but each respected the other's desires and interests. For instance, Ray had not wanted her to give up her music and had bought an old upright piano for her to practice on and to instruct her half-dozen pupils. Why, Lord, she had a pupil coming for a lesson in twenty minutes, and here she was sitting around daydreaming! She began to move automatically around the living room, straightening up.

In the drugstore below, Ray Denham had for once caught up on the list of prescriptions to be filled and they sat along the counter in a neat row while he worked on the wholesale orders at the old-fashioned desk. Suddenly he heard a gravelly southern accent from the front of the store and recognized it immediately as John Blodgett's voice.

«How 'do, Miss Minnie! You doin' all right?» and then without waiting for her answer, «Good, good!»

Blodgett breezed by the soda fountain with a lecherous wink at the clerk, «Honey, bring me and Mister Denham some cokes … with lots of ice, child, lots of ice.»

He eased his considerable bulk behind the prescription counter, «Hi there, Ray – you doin' all right?»

«Just fine, John,» Ray said placidly, in the knowledge that business was good and getting steadily better. He pulled up a chair for the older man. Blodgett was sweating, staining his immaculate light blue sports shirt, and he took out a handkerchief and passed it over his ruddy face and thick shock of graying hair. He was a handsome man of about fifty, beginning to show unmistakable signs of overindulgence in good food and drink but still fit and powerful looking.