A Cry In the Night Read Online Free PDF

good as Mommy.”
    He lifted one eyebrow to Jenny, smiling triumphantly.
    After the children were in bed they ate at the dinette table that overlooked the garden. The snow in the yard was still white. The bare-limbed trees glistened in the reflection of the lights from the house. Thick, high evergreens almost hid the fence that separated the property from the adjacent yards.
    â€œYou see,” Jenny explained, “country within the city. After the girls are settled, I linger over coffee here and imagine I’m gazing at my acreage. Turtle Bay, about ten blocks uptown, is a beautiful area. The brownstones have magnificent gardens. This is sort of mock turtle bay but I’ll be very sorry when moving day arrives.”
    â€œWhere will you go?”
    â€œI’m not sure but I’ve got six months to worry about it. We’ll find something. Now how about coffee?”
    The bell rang. Erich looked annoyed. Jenny bit her lip. “It’s probably Fran from upstairs. She’s between boyfriends now and pops in to visit every couple of nights.”
    But it was Kevin. He filled the doorway, boyishly handsome in his expensive ski sweater, a long scarf casually knotted over his shoulder, his dark red hair well-barbered, his face evenly tanned.
    â€œCome in, Kevin,” she said, trying not to sound exasperated. Timing, she thought. By heaven, he’s got it.
    He strode into the room, kissing her quickly. She felt suddenly embarrassed, knowing Erich’s eyes were on them.
    â€œKids in bed, Jen?” Kevin asked. “Too bad. I was hoping to see them. Oh, you have company.”
    His voice changed, became formal, almost English. Ever the actor, Jenny thought. The former husband meeting the ex-wife’s new friend in a drawing-room comedy. She introduced the men and they nodded to each other without smiling.
    Kevin apparently decided to lighten the atmosphere. “Smells good in here, Jen. What have you been cooking?” He examined the stove top. “My word, what a fancy meatloaf.” He sampled it. “Excellent. I can’t imagine why I let you get away from me.”
    â€œIt was a dreadful mistake,” Erich said, his voice chipped with ice.
    â€œIt surely was,” Kevin agreed easily. “Well, look I won’t delay. Just thought I’d pop by on my way past. Oh, Jen, could I speak with you outside for a minute?”
    She knew exactly why he wanted to speak with her. It was payday. Hoping Erich wouldn’t notice she slipped her purse under her arm as she went out to the foyer. “Kev, I really haven’t.. .”
    â€œJen, it’s just that going overboard for Christmas for you and the kids left me short. My rent is due and the landlord is getting nasty. Just lend me thirty dollars for a week or so.”
    â€œThirty dollars. Kevin, I can’t.”
    â€œJen, I need it.”
    Reluctantly she took out her wallet. “Kevin, we’ve got to talk. I think I’m going to lose my job.”
    Quickly he took the bills. Stuffing them in his pocket, he turned toward the outside door. “That old joker would never let you go, Jen. He knows a good thing when he has it. Call his bluff and strike for a raise. He’ll never hire anyone for what he’s paying you. You’ll see.”
    She went back into the apartment. Erich was clearing the table, running water in the sink. He picked upthe pan with the remaining meatloaf and walked over to the garbage can.
    â€œHey, hold it,” Jenny protested. “The kids can have that tomorrow night for dinner.”
    Deliberately he dumped it out. “Not after that actor-ex of yours touched it they won’t!” He looked directly at her. “How much did you give him?”
    â€œThirty dollars. He’ll pay me back.”
    â€œYou mean to say you allow him to walk in here, kiss you, joke about abandoning you and breeze out with your money to spend at some expensive