Free The Hungry House by Elizabeth Amelia Barrington

tailored shirt and slacks. For some reason, he had made an effort to be presentable. He lit a cigarette and then abruptly put it out in the ashtray.
    "I think I have everything you want now, and we can really get this done tonight . Don't forget, I have to leave at four o'clock."
    "I don't think it will be possible for you to leave at four o'clock today." Frank answered.
    "But, you told me I could . Don't you remember? Last week?"
    "Actually, I don't remember . But can't you reschedule time with your girlfriends for tomorrow? This is really important to me, you know."
    "Well , I've planned this for a while." For some reason, I found I did not want to say the word "date."
    "It would really mean a lot to me if you would reschedule it."
    "All right. I'll reschedule it." Suddenly, I almost felt as if I would start crying. Looking forward to seeing Paul had kept me together all week.
    "U nless you don't like your position here. I think I've been more than fair." Frank was gearing up to be self-righteous.
    "No --no. I like my position here. Let me go over to the cottage and reschedule."
    "You can do it right here."
    "No. I'll be right back. Don't worry."
    "As you wish."
    When I returned to the library, Frank was still sitting in the same place. He smiled encouragingly. Paul had been disappointed but understanding. We had arranged to have Sunday brunch together. I felt as if my legs were made of lead. I wanted to run out of the library and never return. I longed to see Paul.
    Nevertheless , I choked back my tears, smiled, and picked up the first file. "Here, I have a summary of the plans I would go with and why. Then, if you need more details of the plans, I have those too." This time I covered everything--the stationary, the entire dinner the caterer would prepare, even what the servers would wear. If he did not like those, then I had the details of six other caterers and a sample engraved invitation for him, with wording provided by Margaret.
    I got out the completed stationary. Then, Frank did a strange thing. The two leather sofas in the library sat across from each other perpendicular to the fireplace. He arose from his seat across from me to come and sit by my side. The skin on the back of my neck tingled.
    "There's no reason for you to have to keep getting up and handing me things. " He moved close to me and placed his arm behind my back on the sofa.
    It is only so he can see better . I must be calm, I thought. I noticed Frank stunk of scotch and cigarette smoke. He had always seemed to smell this way, when he walked near me or I happened to smell his breath, as if his very pores constantly reeked of cigarettes and booze, but sitting so near the smell was especially loathsome and oppressive. I had noticed he always kept bottles of scotch labeled The Balvenie in his room, in the library, and on the downstairs liquor tray. I had rarely seen him drink any other kind of alcohol.
    I handed him the sample invitation. He examined and read it.
    "This does look nice, now th at I see it. Good work. I think we can go with this one." Frank said.
    His breath made me feel weak with nausea. He laid the invitation on the coffee table and lit another cigarette.
    I opened the file containing the dinner menu and a pamphlet with photos of the server's uniforms. "This is the caterer and menu that I would choose. Of course, I have information about other caterers as well." I turned to look at Frank and saw that he was not looking at the materials but at the top of my head. Instinctively, I reached up to see if something were stuck in my hair. I began to explain the menu and felt something. Turning toward Frank I realized he was kissing my hair. I felt a fierce revulsion
    With his ha nd, he pawed one of my breasts through my blouse, as he kissed my hair and whispered, "So beautiful."
    My stomach turned, and I felt bitter acid rising up to my throat. I ran toward the bathroom, hardly seeing where I was going and slammed the door shut behind me. I