Page 115 of Edge of Eternity (The Century 3)

She nodded.

George thought that was a despicable way to behave, but if he said so she would probably throw him out for insulting the man she loved. Trying to control his anger, George said: "Where is he now?"

"He'll call." She glanced at the clock. "Soon, probably."

George decided not to ask any more questions. It would be unkind to interrogate her. And she did not need to be told how foolish she had been. What did she need? He decided to ask. "Is there anything you need? Anything I can do for you?"

She started to cry. Between sobs she said: "I hardly know you! How come you're my only real friend in the whole city?"

He knew the answer to that question. She had a secret that she would not share. That made it difficult for others to be close to her.

She said: "Lucky for me you're so kind."

Her gratitude embarrassed him. "Does it hurt?" he said.

"Yes, it hurts like hell."

"Should I call a doctor?"

"It's not that bad. They told me to expect this."

"Do you have any aspirin?"

"No."

"Why don't I step out and get you some?"

"Would you? I hate to ask a man to run errands."

"It's okay, this is an emergency."

"There's a drugstore right on the corner of the block."

George put down his cup and shrugged on his coat.

Maria said: "Could I ask you an even bigger favor?"

"Sure."

"I need sanitary napkins. Do you think you could buy a box?"

He hesitated. A man, buying sanitary napkins?

She said: "No, it's too much to ask, forget it."

"Hell, what are they going to do, arrest me?"

"The brand name is Kotex."

George nodded. "I'll be right back."

His bravado did not last long. When he reached the drugstore he felt stricken with embarrassment. He told himself to shape up. So, it was uncomfortable. Men his age were risking their lives in the jungles of Vietnam. How bad could this be?

The store had three self-service aisles and a counter. Aspirins were not displayed on the open shelves, but sold from the counter.

To George's dismay, feminine sanitary products were the same.

He picked up a cardboard container with six bottles of Coke. She was bleeding, so she needed fluids. But he could not postpone the moment of mortification for long.

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