A PUPPET ON A STRING

Chapter 8

"You going somewhere tonight? ... Maybe your other girl-friend?" Marilyn asks seeing Frank grooming himself in the mirror and looking dapper.

"No... Gave her the night off... Thought we would go out for dinner and celebrate." Said Frank, with a smile growing on his face.

"Celebrate? ... You get a job?" Marilyn's eyes light up to as big as saucers with a smile growing wider.

"Something like that... You know you look so beautiful when you smile."

"You say I look ugly when I don't?" A Mexican pout forming on her face.

"No... I did not mean that?" Frank tried to back himself out of a corner he was being pushed into

"You are the most beautiful woman in the world to me Marilyn."Going over to her and wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead.

"So you get a job?" She asks looking up at him with puppy dog eyes.

"Yes... I think I have a job."

"Think? You don't know?" Marilyn's face contorts to a puzzle look.

"It's mine if I want it they said."

"So you said yes... No?"

"I have a week to decide... But yes... I want it."

"Oh you Americans so strange."

"Go put on that red dress I like so much. I'll fix you a wine." And headed to the kitchen in search of a wine bottle.Sometime later Marilyn reappears looking a million dollars. And then some. The red dress accentuating her petite frame and curves. Cruelty on the eyes for other men to see, but to Frank she was sheer beauty on heels. The thought of herhusband never entered his mind once the whole evening.

Finding a little Italian place that served his favorite dish, chicken fettuccine. It was his night to celebrate.Arriving home in the early hours of the morning they fell into bed and made love. Excising the demons of the past seven plus months. The moon shone through the open curtains illuminating Marilyn's perfect body.

A small faint scar ran across part of her lower belly from an old operation she had told him. He had not question it further. Happy she had survived and that she was with him. In some way it completed her. We all have imperfections. Even God. This was Marilyn's.The moon light lingered over them. Until it too surrendered to the two lovers exhausted passions. Falling asleep in each other's arms. Tomorrow was another day. Something Frank now welcomed.At first light he awoke and made breakfast for Marilyn. And decided today he would go for a jog. Something he had lost interest in seven months earlier. Since then he had no purpose. But today he did. New life flowed through his middle aged veins. There was a spring in his step again. And began to see the beauty in the things that surrounded him.

Long since buried under bitterness and despair of his redundancy. And his ex-wife's anger.A week was a long time to wait. But Frank wanted to be ready for when Smith returned. Sorting through his wardrobe, identifying shirts and suits and shoes. The dust that had gathered surprised him. Washing and dry cleaning.Polishing black shoes. Frank behaved like a man possessed. He still found the time to visit Jefferson's and have a few drinks. Staying long enough to be home in time for Marilyn.

Tomo had sensed a change of routine. Takings were down.Frank's mobile had been silent for months. And he wondered if it was broken.Then one week to the day that he had spoken with Smith, his mobile rang."Private Number." The screen displayed.Unsure whether to answer it in fear it was the IRS. Taking a deep breath he answered it.