Gene sighed loudly and tossed the TV Guide onto the coffee table.

"It's nothing new," he said. "It's the story of our marriage. Alice never did like to make love. Sometimes I wonder how we conceived Rusty."

Katie slid onto the couch beside him.

"If this is none of my business, just say so," she said, "but why did you marry Alice in the first place?"

He laughed bitterly.

"Can you imagine her thin?" he said. "Well, she was once. When I met her, she was the cutest little blonde, and very flirtatious. She acted like she had hot pants. I couldn't resist her."

"And then?" Katie said.

"And then as soon as we were married she started eating everything in sight and turning off sex," Gene said. "If it weren't for Rusty, I'd be out of here. But he deserves to have two parents."

"I'm so sorry, Gene," Katie said.

She really did feel sorry for him, and she felt something else. Now that they were sitting so close together, he in his pajamas and she in her nightgown, she felt turned on. He really did have a nice body. And she knew he was desperate for a normal sex life – just as desperate as she was. It dawned on her that she and Gene could help each other out.

Why not? They were both being deprived of something they needed. And if Alice never found out, she wouldn't be hurt. Katie scooted closer to Gene and put her hand on his. He smiled at her, but of course he had no idea of the naughty and delicious things she was thinking.

"So you and Alice hardly ever make love?" she asked.

"Right," he said. "I think the last time was Christmas. I guess that was my present. But I'm lucky if I get laid once a year."

"That isn't right, Gene," Katie said, stroking his hand. "You're a normal, healthy man, and you deserve a normal sex life."