Summary

The lover tells Charlene he is considering telling Patricia about their affair (16). The two imagine how the conversation will go. The lover admits that if Patricia starts weeping, he will pretend he was kidding (16).

While shaving her legs, Charlene philosophizes about her situation. She considers being a mistress a “hysterical” and “historical tradition” (16). Wives, she decides, “are like cockroaches” and could survive anything (16).

After drinks and a trip to the bookstore together, the lover tells Charlene he will call her soon. She says “Call you ‘later’” would sound better (16). He promises to call in “a few days” (16). After he leaves, she curses him.

On nights the lover says “he’ll try to make it over,” Charlene spends hours preparing (17). She ends up lying on the bed “like a ridiculous cake,” waiting for him to show up (17). She drifts in and out of sleep...