Jane went into the bedroom grabbed a pillow and a blanket and went into the spare room. What's the point in sleeping with that wet noodle? she thought angrily. I've really had it with him! She finally fell into an exhausted sleep.

The next morning she waited until he had gone to work before getting out of bed. But as she was dressing she remembered the Dunn's party that night. Once a month one of the couples in their building of the complex took a turn and gave a party either in the recreation area or at the pool. Tonight it was going to be a pool party. Well I guess we can still go. No sense missing out on my social life because of Matt.

All morning she stomped around the apartment in a bad mood. Around noon Nancy Leyton called and said she'd just made lunch and there was enough for two so why didn't she come over. Ordinarily, Jane would have graciously refused the invitation and kept on working around the house but today it was the perfect excuse to get out.

She walked down to the second floor and rang Nancy's bell. "Hi, Nance."

"Hi yourself… my dear you look like your life's just about to come to an end… what's the problem?"

"Oh… everything… I'm so goddam fed up I could just scream."

"Is it Matt?" Nancy prompted.

"Frankly, yes."

"Do you feel like talking about it… here let me get you a drink.. come on relax… it can't be that horrible.

"Not that horrible… the perfect high school sweethearts are coming apart that's all." "Not really?"

"Maybe I'm exaggerating but…

"Here… I've just made a blender full of Ramoz Fizzes… drink this down..

Jane took the frothy white liquid and drank it down. On her empty knotted stomach the foamy drink felt terrific. Nancy filled up her glass again and bustled around the kitchen setting the table while Jane sat at the table staring at her glass.

"After three years of marriage I've got a zombie on my hands, Nancy… he comes home from work… has a beer and then crashes… when we make love it's well,… it's…" she trailed off, hopelessly.