Chapter 2

Can I break it off? Do I want to?

“It’s the Reuben casserole,” Mark replied to Todd’s comment.

“One of my favorites. If I could convince David sauerkraut isn’t ‘yucky’ as he puts it, I’d have Janice make it every week.”

Mark laughed, because what else could he do. “Why don’t you unpack while I set the table, then we can eat.”

The rest of the evening went as it usually did when they were together. As they ate, they caught up with what had happened while they were apart. As always, Todd bragged about how David, now seven, was doing in school.

“He’s a whippersnapper, as his grandfather puts it,” Todd said. “Near perfect grades, he’s got dozens of friends, and he’s even on the peewee soccer team.”

“And Connie?”

“She’s doing well. Loves kindergarten.”

Short and sweet. Mark resisted an eye roll as he filled Todd in on what had been happening at the shop. “We survived Christmas and New Year’s. Now it’s on to Mardi Gras and Easter.” He proceeded to tell Todd a few amusing stories about customers, ending with, “And that’s it for my exciting life.”

“Which I’m going to liven up,” Todd replied with a wicked grin.

He did, soon after dinner was over. The sex was amazing, as always. It was as if they couldn’t get enough of each other…in bed. Mark often wondered if Todd was as enthusiastic when he made love to his wife—not that he’d ask.

After their first bout of sex, they took a time out to have coffee and dessert then returned to bed, falling asleep in each other’s arms after another round of love making. The following morning, after round three, they ate breakfast then Todd left for a business meeting while Mark went into work.

* * * *

“So, did you tell him?” were almost the first words out of Norma’s mouth when he let her into the shop, ten minutes before opening.

He shook his head. “Tonight.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Promise?”

“I’ll…try,” he replied, sighing.

“Just tell yourself you deserve a real life, and a real man who won’t treat you like a…a toy to be played with whenever he gets around to it.”

Mark winced at her description, even though on some level he knew she was right.

Then, late in the afternoon, Todd called him, saying, “I’m sorry. I hate to do this to you, love.”

Mark knew instantly, from the love,it was going to be bad news. In general, it was the only time Todd called him that, instead of using his name. “What’s wrong?”

“Janice called. David’s sick, the flu she thinks, and I need to get home. I’m at your place now, packing. The cab’s due in ten. I wish it was otherwise, but…”

Mark gripped the phone tightly, trying to keep his bitterness from showing as he replied, “I understand. I’ll miss you. Have a good flight.”

“Thanks. I’ll miss you, too. You know I will. I’ll do my best to get back soon. Love you.”

“Love you,” Mark replied before breaking the connection. Not that you care. Not really. I amyour piece on the side, exactly like Norma said. Crossing his arms on the desk, he rested his head on them, feeling miserable—and angry.

“Mark,” Norma said softy, putting one hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, except I won’t get to break it off tonight.”

“He did it instead? Over the phone? The bastard.”

He sat up, shaking his head. “No. He had to get home. Sick kid, he said.”

She gave him a hug. “Next time he calls, tell him you’re too busy and won’t have time to spend with him. Do it enough times and maybe he’ll get the message. Then you won’t have to tell him it’s over, face to face.”

“I should.”

“But will you?”

He grimaced. “That, Norma, is something I can’t answer until it happens.”

Thankfully, a group of people came into the shop just then. Stomping the snow off their shoes, they asked if it was all right to look around. “Because we have a party coming up and it requires costumes,” one woman said.

Mark told them it was, then he and Norma went into the showroom with them to give them the tour and answer questions. It took Mark’s mind off Todd, as well as ending the day on a high note, businesswise, as three of them rented costumes, with the others promising to be back the next day with their spouses.

* * * *

The apartment seemed emptier than usual when Mark got home after work. It normally did, after Todd had left the city. Mark wandered around, straightening things while trying to decide what he’d fix for dinner, if anything, since he’d lost his appetite. He stripped the bed and remade it, not wanting any reminder of what had happened there the previous night.