Chapter 8As usual, Margie answered the door. “Hello, George.” She paused and looked at my face. “Oh my, it looks like you took the brunt of it last night.”
“Hi, Margie,” I said, smiling lightly. “Yeah, Billy got off easy…,” I let out an exaggerated sigh, “as usual.”
Margie chuckled. She found the antagonistic banter between Billy and me very amusing.
“Yes, I'm sure she saved all the really bad ones for you,” she mocked. “Come, they're waiting on the terrace with bated breath.”
I followed Margie through the living room and out onto the terrace. Justine gasped lightly at my condition, and I went to her, kissed her lightly powdered cheek, and said, “Honestly, Justine, it looks much worse than it feels. There's no need to worry.” I finished with the biggest smile I could produce…it hurt li
