Morning came and except for perfunctory 'good mornings', 'what would you want for breakfast', and other mild-mannered stuff there still was not much conversation between them. Unlike previous days there was little to no talk this time at the breakfast table; their son, Carl, did much of the talking for them whenever they attempted communicating with him. Howard ran through his meal even though he was not that hungry. He got up when he was half done and wore his jacket from where he had draped it over his chair. April was throwing stuff in the kitchen sink when Howard picked up the day's newspaper where he had left it on the table to take his leave. April left what she was doing and went after him as he was heading for the front door.
"Are you going to be early or late today?"
Howard detested the tone in her voice and for a moment a flare of anger arose within him as he knew she was subtly digging at him for preferring to ignore her. He almost thought up a sharp retort were it not for Carl who had left the kitchen and was coming to see him off.
"That supposed to mean anything?" he asked in his not so gentle voice.
"No. I just want to know if you're gonna be this way from now on or if it's some phase thing with us."
Howard terribly wanted to unleash harsh words upon her but chose to grit his teeth instead. April saw his jaw clench and knew her words her struck bone. She could not help relishing the pain he was going through, even though it was her fault.
"If you're mad at me for what I did, just admit to it instead of keeping mum about it."
"We'll talk more about it later," Howard said with a tight voice. "Right now I've got to go to work."
Carl waved at him as he headed towards his car. April took her son's hand and led him towards the driveway to wait for the school bus soon to arrive. She watched Howard get into his car and reverse out into the street. He proffered her a smile and waved back at Carl before driving off. April looked the other way and saw the school bus approach. She stepped back onto her lawn and swept hair from her face just as the bus drew to a stop near her driveway and the doors eased open for Carl to get inside. She waved at him one last time as the doors shut back and the bus then drove off.
April returned into the house and spent a couple of minutes in the kitchen getting rid of the dirty dishes before heading upstairs. The doorbell sounded while she was changing her son's bedsheets and she left what she was doing to hurry downstairs. The doorbell went off a second time before she got to open the door to find it was Jenny.
"Hiya," said Jenny. "How're you doing?"
"Hi, Jen," she shut the door after letting her inside. "I'm sorry but things aren't looking rosy for me. Not since last night."
"Yeah, I got the gist. Dave told me how Howard came by looking pissed."
"Did they get into any fight?"
"Not really. I was asleep at the time. Dave told me he managed to calm him down though. What really happened?"
Both friend went upstairs where April resumed changing the sheets while Jenny sat down and waited for her to begin.
"I could not hold back my fears anymore," April admitted. "I tried but all through yesterday I realised it was a waste. I woke Howard up and told him everything."
April finished with the bed then sat down and narrated to Jenny about finding the DVD in Howard's pants, the same copy she had filmed of Jenny and the fear that plagued her wondering how Howard came about it.
"Dave mailed a copy to him a couple of days ago," Jenny explained. "He told me since then Howard has been bugging him about it."
"Would have saved me a world of trouble if you'd told me that before, don't you think?"
"I'm sorry. I wanted to but I thought you'd have freaked out. Dave was trying to find a way of talking to him about it. We honestly thought things would have been easier if we did."
"Some ease that turned out. You still should have told me, Jen. I probably never would opened up if I'd known."
"I didn't mean any harm; I'm really sorry."
"No, you didn't, which was why I called you yesterday. All the secrets just sort of got to me and I kept thinking what would happen if and when he finds out. One way or another, he would."
"How did things go this morning? Is he still mad?"
"He is, but how much mad I don't know. He's got every right to be though."
"Dave told me he seemed kinda moved from watching the movie. You remember that day at my son's birthday? They met and talked about it."
"Well, now the cat's out of the bag, what happens next? What do you think I should do?"
"I think you've done enough already," Jenny said. "It' no reason for you to sit here all day feeling miserable with yourself. That's part of why I came here. What I think we should do is go out and have ourselves some fun."
"You got a plan?"
"I haven't got just one plan but two," Jenny was all smiles. "Two old-time clients of mine. I like to think of them as old hound dogs that never give up their fantasy life, know what I mean? Anyway, there's at this club and they want us to meet them."
"Meet them at a club today?"
"I wish. But no, it's all set for later this week. They'll be flying into the city soon and they'll contact Dave to let him know when. We're crime partners now so we'd better start thinking and working as one, don't you agree?"
"You're fucking insufferable, Jen. With everything that's raging in my life you still want me alongside you?"
"You weren't no fluke when you had your first taste of black cock. You need someone taking care of that body of yours, making sure it doesn't go to waste. Someone like Max," she added with a wink. "Have you heard from him since?"
"Last time we spoke he said he was travelling on business. He said he'd give me a call when he returns. I know it's wrong, but why do I feel like I'm falling for him?"
"That's the danger zone you're gonna have to watch out for. It's hard keeping the sharks at bay; all horny sharks smell pussy, married or not. But every hot-wife needs stability. That's what you've got Howard for."
"Yeah, right. Howard probably won't think hesitate throwing divorce papers at me if ever he gets to find out about Max."
"Did you tell him about Max last night?"
April shook her head.
"Well, don't sweat it, dear. What's done is done. Howard will come around, I believe he will. But till then, we've got our own business to take care of."
April said nothing; her face was a mask of contemplation. Jenny continued to press on.
"These guys I want to introduce you to, they aren't the average type like the ones we met at that motel."
"What are they, mobsters and pimps?"
"Just regular boring business guys. They told me is they've got a treat they want us to perform and for the club we're going to meet them, they've booked the joint just for themselves on that day. It's going to be wild, I tell you."
"I don't know, Jen. My mind isn't yet settled on everything. I don't know if I've still got it in me to go on with this life."
"Yes, you do know," Jenny rose to her feet. "You do know and you will come and have some fun with me. And I'm gonna take you along if I have to drag you along. Howard's never going to divorce you over some trifle stuff. Sure, he's upset right now, and he'll get over it. I even kinda like it that you told him about it. Beats the risk of you sneaking behind his back all the time."
"You make it sound like you know what he's thinking."
"I'm not new at this, remember. These things sometimes start off on the wrong foot. But it's nothing to get hung over about. Quit kicking yourself and get over and come have some fun with me."
April broke into a chuckle. "Gosh Jen, I'm turning into you every hour I spend with you."
"Come on then, let's get done here and go raid your kitchen. I can use some breakfast right now. First we eat, and then later I'll tell you how we're going to work to seduce Howard for good."
Jenny pulled her friend to her feet and together they left the room.