Free One Night With You by Gwynne Forster Page A

out and refilled the cup. “Let’s go down to the Sound. I’ll get my jacket while you drink that.”
    They strolled down Albemarle Heights to Washington Avenue, the road that led them to the Sound. Although flowers bloomed, the wind from the ocean still chilled, and she folded her arms to warm herself against it. As they reached the bottom—as the locals called it—of Washington Street, Reid’s arm went around her, pulling her to his side.
    â€œIt irks me that I can’t even hold your hand when we’re walking the streets.”
    â€œLet’s give it a try, Reid. We can talk on the phone, have an occasional dinner together at your house or mine, or maybe not. I don’t know. Anyhow, I’ll always be there for you if you need me. So, let’s not see each other, Reid. I’m afraid that if we get closer, it may hurt you. I won’t be happy with that arrangement, but it’s best.”
    Reid faced the wind and turned her so that she had her back to it. “What do you feel for me, Kendra? I care for you. It’s deep, and I know it isn’t going away. Tell me.”
    â€œI care deeply for you. This isn’t a brush-off, and you know it.”
    He looked into the distance. “I’m going to hire a lawyer and get started on that suit. I’m going to try to keep my distance, but I don’t promise not to call you, and I want you to promise to let me know whenever you need me. Will you do that?”
    â€œIf I need you, I’ll let you know.” Her voice broke.
    â€œTo hell with it, baby,” he said and put his arms around her. “Come on, let’s go back.”

    After the first court session Monday morning, Kendra asked Carl, her clerk, to come into her chambers. “Carl, I want to get involved in the community, but I don’t quite know how to go about it. If I’m going to live here, I have to have a stake in the place.”
    â€œWe have a great little theater group, Judge. I used to belong to it, but after the babies started coming, I dropped out. What free time I had, I use to relieve my wife and look after the children. They’ll be glad to have you, and especially if you can act.”
    â€œDo they put on real plays?”
    â€œYes, ma’am. I played Joey in On the Waterfront, and I’m just a so-so actor.”
    â€œAre those people going to treat me the way that guard did?”
    â€œNo, ma’am. Theater people are more broadminded. Anyhow, if I remember, at least three of them will probably ask you if you knew about the problem when you bought the house. You’ll have a chance to tell your side. I’d go for it if I were you.”
    She thought for a minute. “I think I will, Carl. Who do I telephone?”
    He wrote the information on a piece of paper and handed it to her. “Mike Reinar will be glad to see you, ma’am. The locals love that theater, but not many of them join.”
    â€œThank you, Carl. I’ll call him now.”
    Carl left the office in his usual fashion, so quietly that she wouldn’t have known she was alone if she hadn’t seen him go out of the door and close it.
    â€œMr. Reinar, this is Judge Kendra Rutherford. I’d like to join the theater group, and Carl Running Moon Howard told me that you are the person to call.”
    â€œWhat a pleasure, Judge Rutherford. I heard that we were getting a lady judge. We certainly will welcome you. I’m just casting for a play written by a very good local playwright. Would you be interested in reading for the part of the mother of a teenaged girl who’s a problem? We won’t always have roles suitable for you, but this one is.”
    â€œThank you. I haven’t acted since my university days, but I wasn’t bad at it back then. When and where should I go?”
    He gave her the information. “May I look forward to seeing you here?”
    â€œYes, indeed. Till