"I'll do that," he said. "You don't usually come in this late to buy. You're not cooking tonight?"

"No," she answered.

He nodded. "I guess a woman living alone doesn't have any real need to cook a lot. I guess it saves a lot of work, but I bet it gets awfully lonely."

"Could you hurry, please?" she asked him patiently. "I'm in kind of a hurry."

He grinned. "Now where would you have to hurry off too? There's nothing at home but a t.v. and maybe a book to read. You should stay and enjoy some conversation."

"I don't enjoy your conversation," she said sharply.

She had angered him, but she couldn't help it. She didn't like the way he was looking at her. He was undressing her with his eyes. She didn't like the feeling that she was fair game for every horny male in the area. She had made a mistake with John. She had been lonely and he had taken advantage. She wasn't going to let it happen again.

Brad Conners walked around the counter and put the dinner in front of her. "You know something. You talk pretty nasty for a lady who couldn't keep her husband at home. How come he left you? Did he find some stuff he liked better?"

"That's none of your damned business," she answered.

She didn't want him to see her crying but she felt tears stinging at her eyes. She could hardly see to find the money she had tucked down into her purse. Finally she found it. She took the money out and tried to hand it to him but he wasn't paying any attention.

She suddenly realized that he had backed her against the counter. He had his fat arms on both sides of her and she couldn't slip away. He smelled of sweat and meat. His eyes had an angry glint as he pushed his body closer to hers.

"Here's your money," she whispered.

"I don't want your money, baby," he said. He started stroking her soft black hair. She jerked her head away. He grabbed a handful of hair and jerked her head back again. It hurt! "You don't need money in here anymore."