You know, insulted.’ Marlene answered. ‘He’d think that, well
Her grandmother nodded, suddenly understanding. 'That we were reminding him that he can’t afford it?' She sighed as if she had heard this story over and over again. 'Poor Marty. He had always been so concerned about what people think about him. what they say about him behind his back.’ She glanced at her upside-down husband. How many times have we heard it George: "Mom. I can't let 'em, think I'm, cheap!" " I can't let 'em think I'm not with it!" “I can’t let ’em think I'm chicken!” '
Lorraine and Marlene walked past Jennifer's hiding place, then turned past the living-room sofa to go into the back of the house, as Grandpa George once again started up his machine.
Jennifer looked past them, through the doorway.
There, at the very back of the house, was another French door, with another doorknob. It might be a way out. At the very least, it was better than being stuck in the closet. Jennifer bit her lip. Should she?
She opened the closet door. The three others were busy talking as they moved away from her. Maybe, if Jennifer moved quietly enough, she could get over to those other doors without anybody noticing. It was worth a try. She really couldn’t stay in this closet forever. And, as she snuck past them, she could still hear what they had to say. After all, they were talking about Marty’s future, and her future, too!
Jennifer crept from her hiding place.
‘You’re right ...’ Grandpa George slowly answered his wife.
Grandma Lorraine sighed again. ‘About thirty years ago Marty decided to prove he wasn’t chicken - and he ended up in an automobile accident. ’
Thirty years ago? Jennifer frowned. That would be back in 1985, wouldn’t it? But nothing like that had happened to Marty - at least, it hadn’t happened yet.
‘Oh, you mean with the Rolls-Royce?’ Marlene asked matter-of-factly. ‘You’re garbled on that Grandma. That wasn’t Dad's fault. He told me so himself.’
Jennifer tiptoed out into the open. The three others had paused at the entryway to what seemed to be the kitchen. In a minute, she figured, they'd watt into that room. Then she would have a clear path to that back door, and a way out of here.
‘And what does your mother say?’ Grandma insisted. ‘She was there too. you know.’
Your mother?
Jennifer stopped moving. She had been there, too - with Marty? What could have happened? Or what - she reminded herself - was going to happen? Marlene shrugged her broad shoulders.
‘Mom's never talked about it.’
Grandma Lorraine wagged her index finger at Marlene.
‘Well, the truth is, if your father had just used a little common sense, that accident would have never happened. That accident started a chain reaction that sent Marty's life straight down the tubes!’
‘Now. Lorraine...’ Grandpa George chided slowly.
Jennifer couldn't believe what Marty’s mother was saying. Marty wouldn’t do something like that, just because he’d hit somebody’s car - would he? Jennifer had married someone whose life had gone down the tubes?
George ' Lorraine insisted, ‘she might as well know the truth.' Her finger wagged at Marlene one more time. 'If not for that accident, your father’s life would have turned out very differently. The man in the Rolls-Royce wouldn't have pressed charges or sued him, Marty wouldn't have broken his hand wouldn't have given up on his music, and he wouldn't have spent all those years feeling sorry for himself, Complaining how life gave him such a raw deal.’ She made a clucking sound with her tongue against her teeth. ‘He wouldn’t have just given up on life.’
Marlene rolled her eyes upward, as if she didn't want to hear all this. But Grandpa George nodded his head in agreement.
'You’re right...' he said slowly. ‘You’re right.’
Grandma turned back to Marlene again. ‘The real reason your mother married him was because she felt sorry for him. Such a sweet girl. She deserved better.’
Jennifer deserved better? Marty’s life had gone down the tubes? They had gotten married in the Chapel of Love? But Marty was such a sweet guy! How could the future turn out this way? Jennifer didn't like the sound of any of this!
There was a great clatter overhead. Jennifer froze. Someone was coming down the stairs, fast.
But Jennifer was right out in the middle of the living-room. There was nowhere she could hide. She was right out in the open!
Before she could think what to do, Marty Junior jumped into view.
‘Hi, Mom!’ Junior called as he ran past her, following the other three, who had all finally gone through the door into the kitchen.
Oh brother, Jennifer thought with relief. Marty Junior - who also looked remarkably like his father -hadn't even looked at her! Lucky for her, he paid as much attention to most things as his father did!