"That's great!" Dean said, trying to force a tone of normalcy into his strained voice. "When do you think you might be able to come home?" Any thoughts of questioning Cynthia about the happenings in the ice park never entered his mind. He just wanted his wife back in Bird Song. Edith leaned closer to him and began to run playful fingers down his bare chest, and lower. He grasped her wrist with his one free hand but she used the other.
"I don't know," Cynthia answered. "Maybe after a few more days." She paused, and he could picture her biting her lip. "Are the police still there?"
"Yes. I promised to give them your Indiana address tomorrow morning-this morning." Edith moved her fingers lower and he tried to turn away. When Cynthia didn't answer, he added, "I miss you."
Edith let out a sound of disgust, loud enough that clearly said she didn't care if Cynthia heard it or not.
"Is there someone with you?" Cynthia asked sharply.
Dean thought later how pivotal that moment was in his marriage. He answered by instinct, yet, in spite of not thinking of his answer, had he been given more time to consider, it would have remained the same. "Yes," he answered honestly.
"Who is it?" Cynthia's voice was steady, but concerned.
"Edith Shipton. She's-upset."
"Are you in the bedroom?" Before he could respond, Edith laughed. There followed silence, then a dial tone.
Dean closed his eyes in despair. "Get out!" he snarled. Now Edith was afraid. She knew he meant business. To Dean, the worst had already happened. Now that Cynthia knew, he didn't care who else found Edith Shipton in his room. All he wanted was to be alone so he could call his wife back and beg for her understanding. Edith scrambled from the bed as Dean turned on the light. She turned her naked body away from the glare and his eyes, as if expecting to be hit. When she saw he wasn't about to strike her, she whirled back toward him, a sneer on her face as she exposed herself to him. "Two dollars, mister. It's no matter if you can't perform. It's two dollars anyway. Just for the looking." She spotted his wallet on the bureau, extracted two one dollar bills and waved them in his face.
Dean made a move toward her, but she scurried out the door with a loud laugh, still naked, dragging her white dress behind her. Dean angrily followed her as she scurried upstairs. There, at the top, in tightly bundled robe and, yes, a Mother Goose stocking cap, stood Claire Quincy! Edith had her back to Dean so he couldn't see the look she gave Claire but she passed her haughtily and was gone. Claire stood there, mouth agape. Dean turned away and like a beaten boxer long after the bell had sounded, slowly returned to his room.