“Yes!” Her laughter died out. “So why are you lying?”
Bob took a breath. He was so tired. Tired and weary. Weary of Bob Oz.
“To be honest, Dory, and that’s not something I usually am, I’m lying because it’s so much more fucking pleasant. And I think you should regard the obvious lie as a kind of life preserver. Grab hold of it, and you’ll avoid the humiliation of having me tell you that it’s because you just weren’t interesting enough.”
A long pause. Then that circular saw of a laugh cut another slice through his brain.
“Hilarious, Bob!”
“Thanks. How are things, Dory?”
“Not bad. I’m at home alone. Want to come over?”
Bob was about to say yes, but something held him back. Dory-Dory-Dory. What was the thing he couldn’t quite remember? Had she been crazy? Bit of a prude? Needy? Did she have the clap? A husband? Anyway, none of that mattered now.
“Come on, Bob.”
“Er…”
“Hey, I feel horny when you play hard to get, Bob. But I know you want me. And I’ll do exactly what you want. Just tell me what it is.”
“Can you make meatballs in brown sauce?”
“Eh?”
“Nothing.” Dory, Dory…“Why are you telling me that you’re at home and you’re alone?”
“Well, you should know the answer to that.”
“I should?”
“You’re the one who put Tony in the hospital.”
ThatDory. Bob swallowed.
“How…how’s he doing?”
“Tony? Not too good. You broke his nose and his jaw.”
He heard her sigh. Heard the clink of ice cubes against glass.
“Of course I feel sorry for Tony, but I love the way you fought for me, Bob. You fought for me, you did. Even though he’s much bigger!”
Bob heard the slur in her voice now. And the tears.
“Dory, I’ve just remembered, I’m going bowling tonight.”
“After the bowling then.”
“It’s a tournament, be a long night.”
Silence at the other end. He heard a couple of snuffles. “How about tomorrow, then?”
“Would love to, but I thinkyou’vegot something tomorrow, Dory.”
“I do?”
“You’re visiting Tony in the hospital and telling him you’re never going to hurt him again.”
