Orrie's Story by Thomas Berger Read Free Book Online

right that he enter the premises without permission. “I didn’t get a chance to shave.” She remained silent and glanced at the suitcase. “Don’t worry,” he said quickly. “I’m not staying.”
    Esther moved back from the doorway, and he stepped over the threshold into the front hall. He followed her to a different living room from that he remembered, but whether the furniture was new or had merely been rearranged, he could not have said. Esther however looked like exactly the same woman of four years earlier. He even recognized the housecoat, which had apparently remained in mint condition, as if it had been put away when he left and not worn again until this moment.
    Wouldn’t she ever speak? He was too proud to ask. “Look, Esther.” He stood in the middle of the room, not even lowering the suitcase. “I’m not here to make any trouble. I’ll see the kids and leave. Your lawyer can handle the rest of it. Everything’s yours. I’m sorry there isn’t more.”
    Her expression went from disdain through amazement into something that had he not known her he might have called fear. “Lawyer?”
    â€œI’ve given this a lot of thought. It wouldn’t make much sense after all we’ve been through to go back as before, would it?”
    She stared at him. “You’re talking about a divorce?”
    At last he began to feel more in control, at least of himself. What was so remarkable in the thought of divorce, when for so many years she had despised her husband and, since long before he went away, had been fucking his cousin? He put the valise down.
    â€œCome on, you’re not all of a sudden going to pretend you want me back?” He smiled; there was no reason why he should not be friendly. “Let’s start off with a clean slate.”
    She had continued to stare at him. “You’re drunk.”
    â€œNo. No, I am not.”
    â€œYou’re drunk,” she insisted, but now, amazing him, grinned. This was an expression at odds with her raven-black hair and strong mouth. She was handsome when her face was in repose and could even appear maternal if smiling at Orrie, but her grin, rarely seen, looked almost foolish without connoting a hint of good will.
    He changed the subject, looking at his watch, and asked, “Ellie’s due home soon—?” He touched his whiskers. “Maybe I have time to spruce up a little?”
    â€œTake it easy,” Esther said, grinning. It occurred to him that she might be drunk. “Have a seat.”
    He sat down at one end of the sofa, which seemed to have a new cover. “The boys at the Idle Hour threw me a little welcome-home party, including lunch.”
    â€œI knew you were drunk,” Esther said. “Remember I know you, even though you’ve been gone all this while, and I know what liquor does to you.” Her grin was now a kind of simper.
    â€œI’m nowhere near drunk,” said Augie. “I’m aware of what I’m saying. You get a lawyer and make it all my fault, desertion or whatever. I won’t contest it. Furthermore, I’ll pay for your lawyer. Is that fair enough?”
    Esther moved slowly to the overstuffed chair that faced his end of the couch and sank into it. She crossed her legs. The skirt of the housecoat fell away, embarrassing him.
    She asked, “How about more hair of the dog? There’s a bottle in the kitchen.”
    â€œNo, thanks.” She was not taking him seriously. Perhaps he should have expected that, instead of so easily assuming that his new self would be immediately apparent to those who had counted on abusing the old one forever. “When does Ellie get home from school?”
    â€œLots of time yet,” said Esther.
    â€œI can’t get over Orrie being old enough for college.” He had learned that only on the occasion of the recent telephone call. He lacked the courage to