"Where the hell's another glass?" he roared.

"But I just gave you one." Bette Jean answered meekly.

"I know that! I need two. You're going to have a little drink with me, baby. Maybe that'll loosen you up a little!"

"Oh, Lester, you know I shouldn't. The doctor said I should take it easy." Her voice trailed off as Lester poured the glass half full and chunked two ice cubes after the liquor.

"Here… maybe that's what you need, baby. Loosen up that clenched ass of yours!"

"Oh, Lester… please don't talk like that… I thought we were going to have such a nice evening… I have a good dinner in the oven… it's pork chops the way you like them… and… I thought we'd talk after dinner… I went to the doctor today… that new Dr. Madson I told you about… and…"

"We are going to have a nice evening, baby… just you and me… drink up… come on… down with it…" Lester held the glass to her lips and forced her to take a big gulp. She sputtered and spit as usual but she got it down, her big blue eyes blinking back the tears. She looked so helpless and little, but he'd had enough of her innocence. By God, this was one night she wasn't going to get away with it!

"Now… that's better." He drank thirstily, watching his meek but terrified wife over the rim of his glass. He felt the liquor hit his gut in burning satisfaction. That's what he needed too. It was crazy the way he'd let this woman browbeat him. Hell, she made him feel so guilty if he did the slightest little thing. She looked so little and frail but she'd given him four healthy kids with no trouble and worked like a demon to keep the house shining and spotless. He liked it that way but there was no reason to use all her energy on the house and the kids, which was what she'd always done.