Married Life Page #2

you should stop by

and say hello to Kay.

Hmm.

There's not much for

her to do out there.

When I'm not around, she's just

curled up with a book by the fireplace.

She's a reader,

you know.

Hmm.

Is she?

I want you to get to know

her, the way you know Pat.

Oh, but she won't

want to see me.

I assure you,

she'd love to see you.

She'll have nothing to do

with someone like me, Harry.

You know how

honest-to-goodness women

run kicking

and screaming,

when they see me coming.

Well, stick with me,

my friend.

I'll make a good man out of you yet.

It was while Harry was away

on business that I visited her first.

As a friend.

Or a friend of a friend.

These look wonderful.

Thank you.

Is this your father?

Yes, it is.

He died of cancer, the

day after Christmas, 1931.

Oh, I'm sorry.

He looks like a kind man.

He was a drunk, actually.

But he was kind,

at least to us kids.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

That's my late husband,

Ronald.

The men in my life don't

seem to live very long.

I'll warn Harry.

Please do.

Ronnie and I moved here

right after we were married.

But he went missing right

at the beginning of the war.

The Navy declared

him officially dead.

February of '47.

It's funny

how he kept me hoping.

His body was

never found.

I'm sorry.

I only had him for

about three years,

but I really don't

regret a moment.

You're lucky.

Why? Do you

regret anything?

Hmm.

Lots.

And much more to come.

But about two years ago,

I pulled

myself together.

And then with Harry's help.

My dear, sweet Harry.

Would you care

for a real drink?

Yes, please.

Okay.

I'll take a whiskey.

Straight up.

My mother came to live with

me at the beginning of the war.

And taught me to

laugh at everything.

A year ago, she died.

Thank you.

So here I am.

Gloomy, lonely Kay.

That's my life,

in a nutshell.

What about coming out

with me for a dinner?

We could go into town

or someplace nearby.

Come on. Little change

would do you good.

Well, I don't see why not.

Thank you.

- Sure.

You know, the trouble with Harry is

he's a man who depends

on emotions for happiness.

And he's married

to a woman

who maybe doesn't.

Is that what Harry says?

No, that's what I think.

Harry's just never had

anyone truly in love with him.

Until now.

Yes, until now.

You know,

he loves you very much.

Yes.

It must be difficult

to be apart.

I hate it.

You know, they say

a woman needs to be

loved, and that's true.

But it's not

the whole truth.

She also needs

somebody to love.

Sounds old-fashioned.

But it's true.

I'm sure it is.

I want to look after Harry,

just as he wants

to look after me.

You're his closest friend.

You know.

He's been hurt

and disillusioned.

And I want

to heal him.

Like a nurse.

Well, then.

Well, then.

Let's have some pie.

No, I'm fine,

thank you.

One pie. Two forks.

Do you think I'm wrong

to want to marry Harry?

I'm not the judge

of your conscience.

I don't know you

that well.

I just want him

to be happy.

Well, I do, too.

And I can

make him happy.

Happier than he's been.

Then it's agreed.

Are you in love

with Harry?

I love him dearly.

Are you in love with him?

Yes.

Did I sense

a breath of hesitation?

I thought I did.

I wanted to.

Should I come in for

one last cup of coffee?

No. I'm pooped.

Okay.

Good night, then.

Good night.

Thanks a bunch.

When are you and

Stephen getting married?

September the 3rd is

the date we've set.

Then I shall miss

the wedding.

I sail on

September the 3rd.

Something was

happening to me.

Something I had

never felt before.

The thought that those

colorless lips of Harry's

should ever be allowed

to press upon Kay's mouth

tortured me

day and night.

I love you.

Where was he now?

With his wife, like a

good husband should be?

Or with Kay?

In her home?

In her arms?

In her bed?

I had to find out.

Pat, how are you?

Fine, Rich.

Yourself?

Oh, couldn't be better.

How is the old chap?

Out of town.

On business. As usual.

Oh, I didn't know that.

Neither did he.

He plumb forgot.

I tell you, I don't

know where he'd be

if he didn't have me

to organize him.

Can you hear me, Rich?

Mmm-hmm. We've had

troubles with the line.

Rich? Yes. I hear

you fine. I, um...

Well, I suppose

I'm just a little tired.

You sound as though

you need a vacation.

Maybe a quiet

weekend at your cabin.

Anytime.

You know your room

is always ready.

Well, thank you.

Thank you so much, Pat.

And, well, good night.

Good night, dear.

Pat Allen could never imagine

that her husband would lie to her.

So much for

women's intuition.

I never believed much in it.

I believe even less now.

How far are you going?

Couple of miles

down the road.

Thanks for stopping, pal.

Mind if I turn up

the heat a little?

It's bitter out there.

Alvin's my name.

Alvin Walters.

Nice meeting you, Alvin.

Care for a smoke?

No, thank you.

You're out late.

I was with my sister.

My oldest. You?

Just visiting a friend.

Whereabouts does

your sister live?

Ferndale.

She died tonight.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Very sorry.

Frankly, pal,

I was happy to see her go.

She was barely hanging on

for the last seven months.

We all gotta go sometime.

It's not dying that counts,

it's how you die.

And she died

bad and slow.

Both my parents

died in my youth,

so I'm no stranger

to death.

The last two days

were real bad.

Then the poison just burst right

into the walls of her stomach,

and she was gone.

"A blessed release," she

called it, and that's the truth.

It was a blessed release.

Just ended.

She's at peace now, Mildred.

That's all that matters.

She's happy.

And so,

with the innocent touch

of his wife's hand,

Harry's mind was made up.

He would have to kill her.

"A blessed release."

It was the only logical way for

him to save Pat from suffering.

And he would

never doubt it again.

Once the emotions involved in taking

a decision to murder have subsided,

the greater emotion involved

in the crime lies ahead.

Between plan

and final action,

there's a wide gap.

You know, you've gotta be

careful with Altrapeine.

That stuff can

be dangerous.

Yes, I know.

I keep it hidden away

tightly in my darkroom.

If you got kids around...

No.

I don't have any children.

Thank you.

I have to ask you

to sign for it.

Of course.

Right here at the "x".

If you don't mind.

Alvin's my name.

Alvin Walters.

So, what kind you got?

Huh?

Camera.

Uh...

All kinds.

Sir?

You do need to pay.

Uh, pardon me.

How was your trip, darling?

Nothing unusual.

You're still in your coat.

Are you cold?

I just wanted

to see you first

before I settled in

for the night.

I missed you, too.

I think we should go to

the cabin this weekend.

Spend some time alone.

Harry, we can't. What about

our plans with the Arnoffs?

Cancel them.

I want to be

alone with you.

Okay.

I might go up

a little early, then.

Okay.

I'll go get

ready for bed.

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