She smiled at herself before heading out the door. Her husband had treated her like his own private whore before he left for work that morning. Though his lovemaking had felt intensely good, Martha had gradually drifted into the old depression about being nothing but a neglected workhorse. Now, she was feeling good again. She felt good because she could see that she was still a beautiful and desirable woman.

And she was going to be out of the house for the afternoon. It would be fun to get out, to have something to do, even if it was only an errand for her husband.

There was a group of boys gathered around her husband when Martha arrived at the school gym. She saw Frank look right at her, but he continued to give his instructions for the next phase of the boys' calisthenics. He was not the kind of guy to interrupt what he was doing just because his wife had arrived.

Martha sat dejectedly in the bleachers watching the boys work out or talk to their coach by turns. On the ride over, she had been testing herself with strange men, to see how many turned to look at her. She had gotten good results, and she had been feeling good when she arrived. Somehow she had been expecting her husband's attitude to have changed because her own had. She was beginning to feel as faded and neglected as ever.

At last Frank waved her over. "Hey, Martha! Come on over here!"

She approached dutifully with the bag lunch. She was not expecting the amount of attention she was getting from the coach's boys. Several of them were watching her. She could not mistake the admiration in their gaze. She blushed. "Hello, boys," she said shyly, looking directly at a young blond boy who looked just as embarrassed as she felt.

"Hello, Frank dear. I hope I got here in time."

Her confidence had just received a transfusion. She waited for Frank to notice her appearance. He did not. "I hope you didn't bring sandwiches, for Chrissakes. I had sandwiches for lunch."