Sharon lifted her head from the pillow, listening. ''There they go again."
Nick had already heard the bed banging against the wall in the guest bedroom directly below them, a rhythmic rocking carried through the ductwork ofof the quiet house, a bass-beat counterpoint to the whisper of the nearby television. Nick watched Jay Leno's lips move as Alison cried out. He. Imagined Alison astride Perry, her blond hair flying around her face
"What is this, the third time today?" Sharon yawned in flickering video light
"Who's counting?" said Nick, annoyed at her, angry at himself. It was the fourth time.
I think it's the third time... " said Sharon. She raised herself up on one elbow, the sheet falling from her tiny breast as she listend, eyes slitted, her, her exprssion curious and fox like." There was this morning, then again after lunch and now... "
" Let's just go to sleep. "
" Alison said she thought she would staying a few days. Is that what Perry told you."
"Let's just go to sleep, okay?" said Nick When and Perry had driven to the liquor before dinner, Perry had talked about moving in for a week or so, just before he realized that he had left the wallet back at the house
"I like Alison," said Sharon. "she's a little flashy, but underneath the makeup she's down-to-earth, and at least she picked up after herself. Unlike her old buddy Perry" she suddenly flicked the TV remote, muting Leno in mind monologues. She cocked her head. Alison sound funny. Can you hear her? I don't think she's talking to Perry. "
Nick could make out Alison's voice, strangerly chirper now, almost conversational, but not the words. The bed continued its steady rhythm against the wall. Perry was going to have the replaster the damage. Then again, maybe it was Alison who was driving the bed through the wall Nick shifted, smoothed the sheets, uncomfortable with the image. He felt like he was right in the room with them it was too crowded. Alison's voice rose slightly and Nick the drama from down below... but he didn't. He stayed right where he was. Listening.
"There's just the two of them down there, isn't there?" Sharon smiled. Nick could see her thick, dark nipples stiffen. "I don't know if that bed can handle more than the two of them" she teased "Not the way they go at it."
Nick could see Leno mugging on TV, his bland face grotesque without the sound of laughter to back him up. "What are they doing?" giggled Sharon. She licked her lips.