Half of Paradise

“Get a plate. You haven’t eaten anything.”

“Can we be together later?” Avery said.

“We’ll have to go somewhere else. Denise is going to be home.”

“Let’s go to the beach.”

“All right. Maybe everyone will leave early.”

“We can rent the beach cabin,” he said.

“Ssssh.” She smiled.

“They can’t hear us. Wally is talking too loud.”

“We’ll have to get him to leave early, too. He’s always the last one to go. He spent the night on our sofa one time.”

“Maybe we can send him home with the painter. They seem to get along well.”

“Excuse me a minute, darling. I have to go upstairs and get some more chickens.”

“I’ll help you.”

“I can do it by myself.”

“I’ll help you, anyway,” he said. She smiled back at him.

They went up the stone steps to the apartment. When they were inside he closed the door behind them. He kissed her on the cheek and mouth in the darkened living room.

“Ummmmm,” she said. “You’re nice.”

She put her arms around his neck and held him close.

“Do you think they would miss us for a few minutes?” he said.

“Oh, darling, wait until tonight.”

“It would only take a few minutes.”

“We can’t. Someone might come in.”

“Let’s stay at the beach house all night, then.”

“Won’t you be too tired to work tomorrow?”

“We probably won’t get to work a full day. It’s supposed to rain.”

“We haven’t gotten a whole night together in a long time. Won’t it be lovely?” she said.

“Do you think the others will go home early?”

“I’ll ask Denise to suggest that everyone go to that cellar place on Burgundy.”

“Will they do it?”

“I think so. It’s one of those sandal and beard places. It’s artistic to be seen there.”

He kissed her on the neck and held her and put his face in her hair. He felt the smoothness of her body against him.