“In that case, Peggy,” he said, “I’m not going to let you do something that would absolutely make it impossible for us to do anything but get a divorce. I will not let you go to Chicago and climb into bed with some guy so you can “get even,” do you hear me?”
It had to be said, but it was probably a mistake. Peggy recovered quickly while he spoke. She thought she could put together a good line of defense on this subject.
She ignored the evidence of the condoms, and her immediate reaction to seeing Kyle toss them on the bed. She’d come close to admitting their purpose at that moment. Now she swore she’d had no such idea in mind. What she’d said had just been an angry reaction to him badgering her and it took that path because his infidelity was always on her mind.
Actually, she said, she’d bought the condoms for Linda at work and forgotten to give them to her. Linda had a yeast infection and didn’t want to give it to her husband and she’d asked Peggy to pick up some protection from the drugstore for her. Peggy had been so rushed yesterday afternoon she didn’t remember to take the condoms out of the bag containing the makeup she’d bought for the trip. She’d meant to give them to Linda yesterday afternoon. It was all very simple and Kyle shouldn’t be getting so hyper about a silly memory lapse.
Kyle knew the medical reason was bogus. His older sister had once let it slip she’d asked a doctor once when she suffered from the same problem. There was no way a man could be infected that way. Kyle said nothing though. His wife had passed a new threshold in lying and he was having trouble getting accustomed to it.
Peggy saw the disbelieve on Kyle’s face and it infuriated her. She started in on him, bringing up Ann again but simultaneously denying she was thinking of getting revenge.
All right, she said. She took all the nightgowns and sexy undergarments from the luggage and stuffed them back into drawers in her bureau. Two of the evening gowns and the cocktail dress went back in the closet. She’d prove to Kyle she wasn’t planning anything, she said. When she was through, everything fit in the largest of the suitcases and the garment bag. She put in one additional pantsuit she hadn’t had room for before.
“You understand, don’t you, that I’ll see any purchases you make in Chicago on the credit card or bank statements?” he said quietly. Peggy’s face went dead white. He knew he’d figured out why she was surrendering so quickly and easily.
“You’re going to regret the day–”
Peggy broke off whatever she had been about to say. She crammed her flannel nightshirt into the case and viciously zipped it closed. Dodging around Kyle, she carried the heavy bag out the bedroom door and parked it on the landing close to the stairwell. She’d tumble down the staircase if she tried to carry it downstairs and she knew it. Without looking back, she continued down the stairs with her back held abnormally stiff and unforgiving.
********
“Brad! How’s it going, pardner?” Kyle asked one of his oldest friends. He had gone out to the garage to make this cell phone call. He didn’t want Peggy listening in. It would only make her angrier.