I was reading this book the other day They Love and Kill when she walked in—her hair in curlers.

Not tonight she said. Another time would be better.

Another night I agreed.

SATURDAY:

I was reading this book They Love and Kill about animals and their sex lives when she walked in—her face red, her hair backlit.

Not tonight she said. Another night.

Another night I agreed would be better.

MONDAY:

The chapter about the walrus was particularly interesting. I read part of it to her:

The weight of the male walrus can crush the female walrus during copulation.

She was not amused.

WEDNESDAY:

It was Wednesday. I was writing a poem. She sat on the couch opposite me also writing a poem.

I finished first and waited.

THURSDAY:

I was sitting on the couch writing a poem when she walked in—her face tired. She hadn’t been sleeping well and the bags under her eyes were dark and puffy.

Not tonight she said.

FRIDAY:

The way she looks has a lot to do with it. If she thought she looked better …

She was sitting on the couch reading a novel by Ann Beattie when I walked in.

Another time she said would be better.

SATURDAY:

It was Saturday. My face was red from the sun. She was sitting on the couch reading.

Another time? I asked.

She looked up. The sun through the window fell on her face. The light was harsh but she looked attractive—her eyes were bright, she was smiling.

Another time she said would be better.

SUNDAY:

I am sitting on the couch reading the Sunday paper—the weekly TV supplement—when she walks in, her hair in a loose bun, her red t-shirt falling comfortably, seductively from her shoulders.

What are you reading? she asks.

I read her the synopses of several movies—including a series of Blondie pictures:

Blondie Plays Cupid, Blondie Goes Latin, Blondie’s Anniversary, Blondie Goes to College, Blondie’s Big Deal, Blondie Has Servant Trouble, Blondie’s Big Moment, Blondie Knows Best, Blondie’s Blessed Event, Blondie Meets the Boss.

You’re kidding she says.

MONDAY:

Blondie, Dagwood and Mr Dithers head for Latin America on business.

TUESDAY:

The Bumsteads conceal their marriage when they go back to college, but the plan backfires when they both find romance with others.

WEDNESDAY:

Dagwood decides to fireproof his boss’s house with disastrous results. Blondie and Dagwood find the mansion they’re staying in is haunted.

THURSDAY:

We fool him—we no go to the ballgame.

FRIDAY:

Dagwood accidentally smears jelly on his new boss.

SATURDAY:

It is Saturday. She is sleeping on the couch when I walk in. My face is red.

I sit on the chair opposite the sofa. The sun shines through the window onto her shoulders.