“Yes,” she sighed. “I hate lying about things, Jerry. I feel like a louse every damn time they call me.”

“Yeah… I know,” Jerry said, reaching over to pat her hand. “It’s not going to be much longer though. If I get that promotion at the dealership, I’ll be making enough money to support us. Then we can get married and I can pay for your tuition myself. Another couple of months ought to get me in really good with Mr. Harris, honey. He’s bound to promote me if I keep on selling more cars than any other salesman.”

Crystal couldn’t help shiver a little as she thought about Frank Harris, Jerry’s boss. A man didn’t have the right to be so handsome. Frank Harris was God’s gift to women. There was only one problem. He knew it all too well and he tried to take advantage of his good looks in ways that weren’t exactly nice. Frank Harris was a ladies’ man and he’d even tried to put the make on her, after he’d known that she and Jerry were living together. She had never told Jerry about that company party when she found herself struggling on the patio with Frank, and she hoped that she’d never have to. At least Frank hadn’t tried anything recently. She figured she could keep him under control as long as she stayed close to Jerry at those little company gatherings. He wouldn’t dare make a pass at her in full view of Jerry. Even Frank wasn’t that foolish. Jerry’d knock his block off, even if Frank was his boss.

The telephone rang shrilly in the living room and she immediately jumped up to answer it. It couldn’t be her parents. They only called on Sunday mornings. It was probably one of the girls from beauty school to ask about one of the assignments.

Jerry helped himself to another plate of spaghetti as she talked on the phone. He wished she wouldn’t get so uptight about her parents. It made him feel like less than a man because he couldn’t support her, but it took a little while to get started in the sales business.