Death Penalty Read Online Free PDF Page A

question, an easy answer.”
    â€œOh, not all that easy. I can think of a dozen women I wouldn’t say that to.”
    She turned, put out the cigarette, then snuggled down even deeper into the sheet.
    â€œDo you remember that audition I did last month in Tampa?”
    â€œSure. You came back tanned.”
    â€œI didn’t think they liked me.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œThey called.”
    â€œSo?”
    She looked at me with those penetrating eyes. “What about us, Charley? You and me? Is this just another shipboard romance, or do we have a future?”
    She had never asked before, but I knew she had thought about it. So had I, although we had only been together for a few months.
    â€œIt’s a little early to tell, don’t you think?” I asked. “Why the question? Is it about Tampa?”
    â€œTampa has something to do with it, yes. But I don’t think it’s the real issue.”
    â€œAnd what’s the real issue?”
    â€œCommitment.”
    â€œIn time, maybe . . .”
    She laughed softly. I thought the laugh sounded sad.
    â€œYou’ve already answered,” she said. “You’re not ready, Charley, and you probably never will be. At least, not with me.”
    â€œI’m a three-time loser, Marylou. I don’t have exactly a great track record as a family man. Three wives, three divorces, one kid. Every one of us an alcoholic, even my daughter, Lisa. Marrying me would be like getting a last-minute ticket on the
Titanic.”
    She sighed. “I’m not worried about that, Charley, not at all. That’s not the big problem.”
    â€œWhat is?”
    She paused a moment, then answered. “You’re a romantic.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œHave you noticed? Most alcoholics seem to be.”
    â€œI don’t follow.”
    She rolled over and took another cigarette from the pack on the bedstand. She lit it and watched the smoke curl toward the ceiling.
    â€œIt’s true, Charley. At least it is in your case. You see the world through romantic eyes. You want things to be the way you think they should be. You try to make things come out that way, although they usually don’t. That’s the problem, Charley.”
    â€œI’m a lawyer, Marylou. We have to look at things realistically.”
    She smiled. “Facts maybe, but not anything else. You’re the kind of guy who used to ride out with a shield and lance, Charley, looking for dragons.”
    â€œOr windmills?”
    â€œRomantics can’t tell the difference. That’s the problem.”
    â€œSo what’s this business about Tampa? To be realistic for a moment.”
    â€œThey’ve offered me a new morning show. The stationis an affiliate of a network, and they say I might have a shot at something national eventually. It’s my big chance, Charley. Maybe my last chance.”
    â€œWhat are they talking about in terms of money and a contract?”
    â€œThey’re offering a two-year contract. The money’s good, about triple what I’m making. If I succeed, that’s only the beginning.”
    â€œDo you want me to look at the contract?”
    She paused again. “I’ve already agreed.”
    I felt a sinking sensation. “When do you leave?”
    This pause seemed longer.
    â€œTomorrow.”
    â€œTomorrow!”
    â€œMy roommate will arrange for my stuff to be sent down when I find a permanent place.”
    â€œJesus!”
    â€œThis was a nice interlude for both of us, but we both knew it wouldn’t last, Charley.”
    â€œMaybe you did.”
    She inhaled deeply, then expelled the smoke slowly. “We both knew,” she said, not looking at me.
    I watched as she got up and dressed.
    She was so beautiful, I felt close to tears. She came to the bed and kissed me softly on the cheek.
    â€œSuppose I said I wanted to get married? Would that have changed things?” I asked.
    â€œYou