“I know Laura is cheating on my father,” she said before Dean even had a chance to put the keys in the ignition.
That’s the booze talking, he said to himself. He started the car and felt the air conditioner blast coolly on him. He turned on the windshield wipers and in two passes the droplets were gone. Beth was turned to him and awkwardly tried to put her arm over the back of his seat but she was too short. When two attempts failed she settled for keeping both her arms in her lap.
“How do you know Laura is cheating on your dad?”
“I just do. You have to believe me. I just do.”
Dean turned from Beth and looked into the night. Clouds filled the sky and he guessed there was going to be more rain before the night was over. He thought about what Beth had just said. It made sense. Laura Miller had to be twelve or fourteen years younger than Coach Miller. She was the trophy wife. Coach Miller always told his teams that sacrifices have to be made to win trophies. Maybe his sacrifice was his wife’s infidelities.
“I believe you,” Dean said half-heartedly.
“No you don’t,” Beth said indignantly. She turned and faced forward as if to say I’m ready to go.
Dean reached over and put his hand on her knee. “Beth, I do believe you,” he said slowly.
Beth straightened a little in her seat. “I know she cheats on my dad,” Beth said at last, “because she made a pass at me last week.”
Leave a Reply