The Game Read Online Free PDF Page B

talented. One of these days she'll take a picture and she’ll win a Pulitzer.”
    Dave tweaked her nose. “And you’ll win one for your investigative reporting.”
    She shook her head. “I’m not interested in one. I’m looking for a Tony .”
    “A Tony ? You want to write a play? I didn’t…” His voice trailed off.
    She settled deeper in his embrace and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “You’re not the only one who didn’t know.” She shifted and looked up at him. “In fact, now you’re the only one who does . It’s why I decided to write for a smaller paper, rather than go after one bigger. This way I have more opportunity to pick the stories I want to do. I’ve been collecting human-interest narratives for two years now. I want to write a play about them.” She smiled tremulously. “Crazy, huh?”
    Dave tipped her chin and kissed her. “Not crazy.”
    * * * *
    “Man, tuna fish, crackers, creamed corn. Who would have thought if you heated them up together you’d have fish chowder?” Dave leaned back in his chair. “God knows what you could do with a full larder.”
    Marcie laughed. “You see why I won’t go downstairs to her place for dinner? I’d get as fat as a pig.” She chuckled. “Oops, not kosher. Shari better learn to how to make latkes this Hanukah.”
    Frank smiled. Even though it hurt to see up close and personal how much Dave cared for Shari, it still felt good just to be near him. And sharing his secret with Marcie made it that much more bearable.
    “Well, gang. Time to strip- dreidel ,” Marcie announced.
    “I’ll rinse these things off. It’ll only take a second.” Shari gathered the few reusable items and wiped them off with a napkin and then a damp towel. “This will have to do; can’t use too much water—gotta conserve, after all.” She spread the damp towel neatly on the edge of the sink. “C’mon. Let’s play.”
    Shari spun first. The top danced in a crazy circle on the floor. Nun —nothing.
    “My turn.” Dave picked up the top and twirled.
    “ Shin .” He turned to Marcie. “How about giving me that stunning scarf?”
    “Chicken,” Marcie teased, but untied the rainbow-colored silk length from around her neck and handed it over.
    As the evening wore on it became obvious who the night’s winner would be.
    Marcie wore her thong and Frank’s shirt open to display her unsupported tits. Shari kneeled on both knees, the Brazilian wax job evident to everyone, along with a triangular tattoo below her navel. Marcie leaned forward on her hands and knees to get a better look.
    “Why, Shari, I didn’t know you had a tattoo, too, and on your belly.” Marcie peered closely at the tiny pink rose edged in crimson. “Why a rose?”
    “It was my mom’s favorite flower. And my full name—Sharon Rose Nelson.” She looked at Dave. “I got it last year after she passed away.”
    “Well, it looks like you’re the winner, Shari.” Frank stood. “We’ll see you guys in the morning.”
    “Wait.” She took a deep breath and looked directly at him. “I want you.”
    * * * *
    Shari threw on one of Dave’s T-shirts and shut the bedroom door behind her and Frank. He stood awkwardly by the dresser. Tonight he still had on his shorts and socks.
    “Have a seat, Frank. I’m not going to bite you.” She paused. “I don’t think.”
    He sank down on the wooden trunk at the foot of the bed and looked at her steadily.
    “Why did you pick me, Shari? I don’t understand.”
    She sighed and shifted to sit cross-legged on the bed. She pulled the sheet up around her feet and rocked back and forth for a moment. “Because you’re Dave’s closest friend and you know him the best.” She ducked her head and looked at her fingers twined in her lap. She took a deep breath, then lifted her head and looked directly at him.
    “Why did Dave become a cop? Why vice?”
    “Why don’t you ask him?”
    “I’m afraid to.” She gulped. “I…Frank, I’m not lily white. I’m