Summary

The lover calls Charlene at work. Noticing Charlene’s delight, Hilda looks at her questioningly. He asks her to meet for lunch. She makes a joke.

At lunch, Charlene drinks multiple “glasses of wine” and smiles at his stories (9). After “the waitress clears the plates,” the lover compliments Charlene’s beauty (9). She blushes, toying with the key on her neck.

Outside the restaurant, Charlene does not kiss him, because “Patricia’s office is nearby” (9). She makes a joke before waving goodbye.

The lover calls Charlene moments after she returns to the office. He wants to meet tomorrow. Patricia is going out of town.

The next day, Charlene waits a long time for the lover to arrive. Once he surfaces, apologizing, he leads her to his uptown apartment. The building has a doorman. They ride the elevator “eight floors” (10). Charlene “nervously” inspects the space...