Free Dark Homecoming by William Patterson

hair back when she laughed.
    â€œI’m finally heading back home,” Nicki announced. “I’m leaving the ship and the world tour early.”
    â€œWhatever for?” Liz asked. “I thought you were having a great time.”
    â€œI thought you were, too, then you up and got married.”
    Liz smiled weakly. “Has the same thing happened to you, too, Nicki?”
    Her friend laughed, tossing her hair. “No way, sugarbabe. I’m immune to Cupid’s arrow, remember? No, I just got a better gig in Atlantic City, and the cruise ship is being kind enough to let me out of my contract, just like they let you.”
    â€œWhat’s the gig?”
    â€œHarrah’s, baby! The biggest resort in town! I’m starting at the top! One of the lead dancers in a new nightly revue— and I get to help choreograph and design the whole thing!”
    â€œThat’s . . . that’s amazing, Nicki.”
    Liz was envious. She listened as Nicki rambled on about the details of her new job. She asked a few questions and Nicki responded with undisguised glee. How exciting it was, Liz thought, to be going to Atlantic City, to be able to design and choreograph a new show. That was something Liz had always wanted to do herself, something she had looked forward to doing someday in her career.
    Then she’d up and gotten married.
    Immediately Liz rejected her envy of Nicki. Her friend didn’t have what she had—a terrific husband who loved her very much. The very fact he’d gotten so angry at her for suggesting cosmetic surgery meant that David loved Liz exactly the way she was. She had to believe that. She thought about how much she loved David in return—how the sight of him still caused her heart to leap a little, how the touch of his lips on her neck still thrilled her beyond anything she’d ever experienced. She wouldn’t trade David for all the shows in Atlantic City, even if she got to choreograph them all! She had to remember that. She had to!
    But it was difficult, given how alone and disliked she felt in this big house.
    â€œSo, tell me,” Nicki said. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œNothing’s wrong,” Liz said.
    â€œAs I said before, you’re a liar.”
    â€œReally, Nicki. Nothing’s wrong. David is the most amazing husband. I adore him. It’s just that . . .” Her words trailed off.
    â€œJust that what?”
    â€œWell, he had to go away on business.”
    â€œHow long has he been gone?”
    â€œAlmost a week.”
    â€œPoor baby, but I guess the honeymoon is over.”
    â€œThat’s just it,” Liz said, finishing the last of her wine. “We had such a marvelous honeymoon and now . . . well, now I’m afraid this is what my life is going to be like. Stuck here in this big house alone for much of the time while he travels on business.”
    â€œIs it such a terrible place to be stuck in?”
    â€œOh, it’s a gorgeous house. And the gardens are equally as beautiful. I don’t want for anything. There are maids and houseboys to wait on my every need, and a magnificent chef . . .”
    Liz’s mind passed quickly over the faces of all the people who worked in the house. She remembered the eyes of those staring at her out at the pool. Maybe she’d been mistaken. Maybe they hadn’t been laughing at her. Maybe they had just been told to be there in case Liz had requested anything. They were her servants, after all, who were supposed to be at her beck and call. But Liz couldn’t get used to that fact. A woman like her didn’t have servants.
    â€œI’ll bet you’ll get pretty good at bossing them all around,” Nicki said.
    â€œI hardly think so. I just kind of keep to myself. The whole time David’s been gone, I’ve eaten in my room.”
    â€œSweetie—you can’t be a hermit! It’s your own house!”
    â€œYes, but until David