Page 31 of Letters From Victor

“Well…” I started as I sat down. “I’m not sure how to begin.”

Edith tapped the dead ashes off her cigarette. “Let’s start with how utterly mussed you looked when you picked up Frankie on Wednesday. I hope you cleaned up your appearance before Frank got any ideas.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “I did, but I’m not sure he would have noticed regardless.”

Edith narrowed her eyes and leaned in, her cigarette poised between two elegant fingers. “Does this have something to do with your swanky new boss? What’s his name—Victor?”

My stomach flipped at the sound of his name on her lips. I swallowed hard and nodded.

“I knew it.” Edith took another slow drag, the cigarette’s ember flaring bright orange against the fading light. “So, what exactly happened between you two? And don’t you dare hold back on me. You know I don’t give a fig about propriety and all that jazz. My only concern is for you, your happiness, and your well-being.”

I hesitated, my fingers twisting in my lap. The ghost of Victor’s touch lingered on my skin. “He wants to be with me.”

“Be with you…? As in take you to bed? Take you to the movies? Share your seat on the streetcar?”

“Edie, I’m serious.” I sighed and looked out across the lawn, the last golden rays of sun dappling the grass through the nearly bare branches of a line of oak trees. “Victor wrote me a letter,” I said quietly. “Had it delivered by private courier on Friday. He said…more than I ever expected. How much he adores me, how he yearns for me constantly, how he wants to take care of me and cherish me. How he feels we’re meant to be together…” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, my gaze fixed on my lap. “He wants…everything with me. Not just an affair. A future.” I lifted my eyes to meet Edith’s. “He says he’s in love with me.”

Edith’s eyebrows shot up. She stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “Well, I’ll be damned. That’s quite the declaration.” She tilted her head, studying me. “And how do you feel about him?”

I bit my lip, my heart fluttering like a trapped hummingbird. “I’m drawn to him in a way I’ve never experienced before. When I’m with him, I feel…alive. Seen. Understood. Desired.” I shook my head, a rueful smile tugging at my lips.

“Are you sure he’s not just looking to get you between the sheets?” She held up her hands. “Not that there’s anything wrong with a good jaunt.”

“Edie!” I hissed.

“What? You think I don’t know how to have a good time?”

I shook my head again, more firmly this time. “It’s more than that, Edie. So much more. The way he looks at me, talks to me, touches me… It’s like he sees right through me. Like he knows me better than I know myself.” I took a shaky breath. “And God help me, but I want him too. So much it frightens me.”

Edith whistled low. “Sounds like you’ve got it bad, Babs.” She leaned forward, her expression sobering. “But you know this is playing with fire, right? You’re a married woman with a child. Are things so terrible that you’d throw it all away for this Victor fellow?”

“Yes,” I answered quietly, my eyes widening at the admission. “Heavens, I haven’t said it out loud before.” My shoulders slumped as I sank further into my chair. “I’m suffocating, Edie. Trapped. I’ve known it for some time, but it’s taken this to make me admit it to myself. If the war taught us anything, it’s that life is too short to be miserable. I have a chance at some happiness. And I’m going to take it.”

16

VICTOR

“Good morning, Myrtle,” I said, leaning against Mrs. Miller’s reception desk, startling her from a note she’d been writing. She quickly smoothed her gray-streaked dark hair.

“Oh! Good morning, Mr. Cardello. You’re in early for a Monday.”

“Wanted to get a head start on the day. How are the grandkids?”

She beamed. “Oh, they’re wonderful. Growing up too fast, of course.”

I snuck a glance down the hallway. “Is Mrs. Evans in yet?”

“Oh yes, and hard at work. She’s a keeper.”

I dipped my head and smiled. “Yes, I believe she is.” I glanced around the reception area. “Anything going on this morning?”

“Mr. Kowalski’s office called earlier. He wants another meeting. I told him I’d check with you.”

I shook my head. “I want to see his updated proposal first. If I’m happy, we’ll schedule a follow-up meeting.”

She nodded. “Very good. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks, Myrtle. You’re a gem.” I patted her hand and flashed her a smile.

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