Darkness turns darker

“Did you hear that?” Sully asked.

“Hear what? Not again, Sully. Please.” Dale obliged Sully most of the time and checked out the noises she heard and the rattles and creaks of their old house.

“Sully, you always find valid explanations for noises, which bring you temporary peace of mind. First, it’s one thing with the cricket powder and crickets, then another with the cabin and the whole thing about the wasps and ticks. Now it’s our house. I mean, Jesus H. Christ, what’s next?”

“Shut up! You think what you talk about is so goddamn interesting? I have been lectured to since a month after we were married. It killed our sex life and our romance. Can’t you see what you’ve done?”

Their marriage hadn’t been straightforward over the years. Despite her rejection of coitus, Dale persevered and never cheated on her. He yearned for a genuine romance that remained unattainable. Guilt on his part always stopped him from becoming the man he knew he could be with Marjorie. He had a workmate who deeply loved him and desired regular sexual relations with him, regardless of whether he was married or not.

She remained at home and chose to be the coupon clipper and the thrifty spender who had sex with the mailman almost every day she could that worked into his schedule. She didn’t care about being married because, in her mind, they weren’t married. She remained happy with the arrangement because it was safe and manageable in its little box.

Dale’s heart benefited from knowing Marjorie loved him; he told himself that was enough for him. But in the evenings, after Sully went to bed, Dale sat alone, throbbing for Marjorie and wondering about what the two of them would be doing as a couple at that very moment. He watched the tube to distract himself from his thoughts about Marjorie, but it was no longer enough to ease his lovesick heart after a while.

***

The day Sully called the office and asked for Dale, Marjorie answered the phone and took the message.

“Oh, dear. Sully, is there anything I can do for you?” she said in a phony, syrupy tone. Sully thought.

“Yes, there is. Won’t you spend the time I’m in the hospital ensuring Dale eats well, please?”

“Well, don’t you think Dale should decide what he eats?” Marjorie said.

“I suppose. I’m in Room 32B. Please let him know I should be here for at least a month. It’s some blood disorder, and the doctors are stumped.”

“That sounds horrible. I’ll send you a care package. Anything special you’d like in it?”

“Yes, I would appreciate a discreetly provided box of condoms, along with any other care packages provided to women who stay in the hospital for extended periods.”

“No problem.”

“Oh, and Marjorie, this is just between us girls, right?” Sully asked.

“Absolutely.” Marjorie smiled as she couldn’t wait to tell Dale.

After his meeting, Dale left for the hospital to be with Sully. He asked Marjorie to take all his messages, call all his afternoon appointments, and explain the situation.

“Okay, I will, but I need to tell you something.” Marjorie even followed him to the elevator, but he was too preoccupied to listen.

“I’ll give you a ring later, toots,” he said as the doors closed.

***

She swooned and returned to her desk, where she had to clear her afternoon schedule and reschedule those appointments for later in the week. Being the CFO’s secretary at KODAK had benefits. She was well-versed in the job and had a deep affection for her boss. After clearing all of her boss’s books for the day and rescheduling, she made some appointments of her own and had a delivery basket with condoms buried in the bottom, out of sight, delivered to the office.

At 5:00, along with the rest of the secretaries, Marjorie rode down in the elevator carrying the basket.

“Another gift from Dale to Sully?” A secretary posed the question.

“Well, it sure ain’t for me.” Marjorie shook her head, and they all laughed. All except Roseanne. She remained quiet. Five got off at the main floor, and the remaining six went to the car park.

Marjorie entered her car, placed the basket on the seat beside her, and attached the card. She didn’t want the other girls to know Sully was hospitalized. In time, they would find out, but not from her.

***

She arrived at the hospital, and Sully was alone and awake.

“Oh, hi, Marjorie. Thanks so much for getting those for me.”

Dale will be enraged by their presence as he will believe that I have a secret admirer I’m having sex with. In today’s world, maintaining honesty is crucial.” She smiled and winked.

“I don’t know Sully. My mother taught me honesty is the best policy.” She smiled at Sully and helped her get her robe around her shoulders.

Just then, Dale walked in. “My two favourite ladies. Both in the same place, what are the chances?”

“Yes, Dale, what are the chances?” Sully snapped. “I told Marjorie that since we have the maid quarters, she could stay with you and care for you while I’m in the hospital.”

“What? Have you lost your mind? That’s nuts!” Dale said. “I am a grown man who can take care of myself.”

“Well, if you’ll excuse me, please, I’d better get going home,” Marjorie announced. She got up to leave and almost made it to the door.

“Where did this lovely basket come from?” Dale asked.

“You mean it didn’t come from you?” Sully said, surprised.

“No, it didn’t,” he looked at Marjorie.

“That’s unfortunate, as it contains all my favourite items, including condoms. Now, who would send such a thing besides you?”

“This is a partner who knows you very well. That’s who.” Dale said.

***

Marjorie slipped out the door and headed for Dale’s house. She would stay in the guest quarters. It was half the driving time for her to get to work.

Dale came home twenty minutes later. He looked relieved and content.

***

“Finally, she’s found someone she loves who loves her. It is a day to celebrate. Let’s go out and dance. Then we shall return home and have glorious sex.”

While Sully was in the hospital, Marjorie and Dale lived like married people. They had no issues or problems. When Dale questioned Sully about her man, she confessed that the whole thing was a sham intended to incite jealousy in Dale. But she had been sleeping with their mailman for the last two years. When Sully exited the hospital, Dale knew it was time to tell her the truth.

Dale sat her down on the couch and told her the truth. She jumped up and moaned and wailed in agony.

“This situation is a manifestation of my deepest fears. You haven’t loved me in years? You allowed me to live with you, knowing I could’ve been with someone else? I hate you,” she stopped to take a breath.

“Dale Musset. I hold a deep-seated hatred towards both you and your whore. Incidentally, where is Marjorie, that two-faced phoney broad? You two are like salt and pepper, so different, but ultimately, go together.” Sully was just getting started.

“Let’s see, maybe you’re more like Catsup and Mustard. I’ve heard that internal organs leak yellow fluid, and the blood resembles catsup. Let’s find out. Shall we?”

The drugs kicked in, and the couple stumbled. The three got into the car, and Sully drove to the cabin. By the time they got there, she had them sedated and unaware of what was happening around them.

Sully started the chainsaw. Many people had seen Marjorie and Dale together, so they thought nothing of seeing them head to the cabin with Marjorie.

The chainsaw started to buzz like a limb was being cut off.