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25
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Ed had finished taking a shower and he was walking to the bedroom to get changed, when all of a sudden the phone rang. Ed walked over to the phone table and picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
"Hello, Ed," replied a thick Latin female accent.
Ed gulped. "... Nadia?" He whispered.
"Ah, you remember me! How are you?"
Ed looked around the room for any sight of his wife, but saw none. "Me? Oh... I'm f-fine," He stammered.
"Good."
"Good?"
Nadia laughed. "So what are you wearing?"
Ed furrowed his brow. "A towel, but I don't see how that has anything to do with--"
"Oooh. Sexy."
Ed let out a long breath. "Umm... Why are you calling, Mrs. Brinkley...? Is there something that you want...?"
"Silly Ed, all I want is you."
"Oh."
"When are you coming over again?"
"... Thursday," Ed replied, now wishing that he hadn't agreed to come over then. He really liked Mr. Brinkley and his wife was okay, but he just didn't need the trouble that going over brought him.
"Great! I simply cannot wait! I got this new dress and I want you to see it. I know you'll like it. Try to imagine it: Royal blue satin. Diamonds along the edges. All open in the back. Plunging neckline. Really, realllly plunging... can you imagine it?"
Ed stood, phone in hand, head cocked to the side, staring off, a picture of the dress Nadia had described etched in his mind... himself wearing it...
"Ed? Are you still there?" Nadia asked after he had not said anything for a minute.
Ed snapped out of his trance. "Yeah, yeah. Sounds good."
"And I'll wear it especially for you."
Ed nodded. "Good... good..." He wondered if she might let him have a try as well. "Say, would you mind if--"
Kathy suddenly walked into the living room carrying a basket of laundry. Ed froze, knowing that if she caught him talking on the phone with Nadia, there would be some serious trouble. Who knows what kind of mess he'd be in if--
Kathy walked up beside Ed and smiled. Ed offered her a wavering smile back. "Who are you talking on the phone with?" She whispered.
Ed had to think fast! Oh no... he was not good at making up lies... what would he say? What could possibly be a plausible answer to fulfill this question? How would he be able to--
He said the first thing that popped out of his mouth, oh and it popped alright. It practically spewed all over the place. "Uhh... N-Nadia."
He smacked a hand over his face and winced, realizing what an idiot he'd just been. He was no liar, and he knew it. Now Kathy would know of their secret love romp. She'd know that he had cheated on her, know of the burning affair, which consumed him. And she'd never forgive him. She'd probably leave him. Walk right out of the house, suitcase and all. Right out of his life...
"Oh. Tell her I said hi, dear," Kathy replied, kissed him on the forehead, and headed off to do the laundry.
Ed stood, gaping after Kathy. He was so confused and his heart was racing a mile a minute.
"Ed?" A voice asked.
Ed furrowed his brow and wondered where the voice was coming from. Suddenly he looked down and saw the phone receiver in his hand. He'd plum forgotten that he was still holding it.
He raised the receiver to his ear and spoke, "Sorry about that. That was my wife. Oh yeah, she says hi... anyways, I really should be going now. I don't think talking to you is safe. My wife almost caught us, you know."
Nadia laughed, then let out a long saddened sigh. "If you really must. Just don't forget Thursday. And my dress."
"Oh, I won't. I can promise you that. I'll be there."
And hopefully I'll be wearing your dress too, he thought.
"Alright. Goodbye, Ed. See you Thursday you devil, you."
"Goodbye," Ed said and they both hung up.
Ed placed his head in his hands and shook it. "What am I gonna do?"