TRUSTED LIKE THE FOX

chapter 10

The next four days followed the same pattern.

Delphina didn't speak to me. It was as if I wasn't there. She locked herself up, only saw her when she's leaving the house when going in town, apart from that I only caught an occasional glimpse of her when I peered at her through the open windows.

The nights also followed the same pattern. Although she was not lowering her blind when she went to bed, the temptation was great. I kept away from my cabin until her light went out.

The picture I had in my mind of her nakedness remained to torture me. The heat didn't help either.

After the fourth day, a strong wind got up, blowing sand everywhere, a hot wind that frayed my nerves. I began to sleep badly.

I found I had time on my hands, and as my mind was constantly tormented by the thoughts of Delphina, this was a pretty bad period for me.

On the 6th day after Perry's death, Delphina made another trip to town, It irritated me that she had gone, not telling me when she would be back.

Twenty minutes after she had gone, I walked over to the kitchen to have breakfast.

I heard a car drawing up. I was in the middle of my breakfast, and I cursed under my breath. I couldn't leave what I was doing, so I carried on, letting the person wait.

Three minutes or so later, I was halfway of my meal, and I straightened up, reaching for a cloth to wipe off my hands when I saw the shadow of a man lying across the opened door.

I looked up. My heart contracted as I saw Adrian, he was Perry's uncle. He stood by the entrance of the door, in his dirty overalls, his hat resting at the back of his head.

His dog stood behind him, staring mournfully at me.

I had completely forgotten about Adrian. There was danger. The sight of this tall, stooping vulture of a man sent a chill crawling up my spine.

"Morning'," he said, squinting at me.
"Where's Perry?"

I picked up the hand cloth and began to wipe my hands with it.

"Perry is away. What do you want?"

"Away?" He moved a few steps into the house. The dog moved with him, keeping close to his right leg. "What do you mean— away?"

"What do you want?"

"Look, young fella, it's my business what I want and not yours. Who do you think you are, or do you suddenly own this place?"

"I don't own it. I'm asking you—what do you want?"

"Where's that Jezebel? Isn't she here?"

"I don't know what you mean. What Jezebel?"

He leered at me.

"His wife. Who do you think you are kidding? Where is she?"

"If it's any business of yours—she's in town."

"So you're the only one here?"

"Someone has to be."

He leaned forward and scratched the dog's head. The dog flinched as if expecting a blow.

"Where's Perry gone?"

"He's away on business."

He gave the dog a sudden impatient shove with his leg as he asked, "What business?"

"You'd better ask him."

He eyed me, moving a few steps forward.

"When will he be back?"