Grace tripped down her front walk, gathered the sections of her paper and trotted back into the house. A coloured insert fell onto the floor, and she bent to pick it up, noticing it was an announcement for the Theatre Jubilee. Carrying the whole mess back to the bedroom, she sat on the edge of the bed and sorted the sections.

"There's a nice ad for tonight's celebration," she said, handing the flyer to Jeffery who was staring glumly at the ceiling. "Jeffery," she said with mild exasperation, "it's not the end of the world. As I recall, you thought mine was very beautiful."

"That was different. This looks like a stain most of the time." He protested.

"Ah, but those other times," she grinned, crawling across the sheet toward him, "when the wings expand and the colours are all exposed..." He turned away, annoyed.

"What am I supposed to say to Ellen?"

"I didn't think it would come up with her anymore." She started to laugh, and immediately apologized.

Sulking, he flopped back on the pillow, resisting only slightly, as she crawled on top of him.

"What say we watch the butterflies mate?"

*****

Carlos gave his mother a warm smile as she set his breakfast in front of him. Across the table, Antonio read his paper in silence, reaching automatically for his juice, expecting it to be in place. Carmela hurried back to the stove and tended the sizzling bacon with extreme care; Antonio did not like it too well done. He set his paper aside and turned to face the table, nodding as Carmela slipped the plate of bacon and lightly scrambled egg in front of him.

"Come and sit down, mama, I'll make you some toast." Carlos started to rise.

"Leave your mother, and finish your meal." Antonio said with a glare.

"I am finished, and mama hasn't had anything." Carlos hesitated, sinking back obediently.

"I'm fine, Carlos. Let your papa eat. I'll get something later."

"You know what tonight is, so I'll be late getting home. If you want to see the parade maybe you can get a ride in with the Baders."

"Yes, I'd like to see that, but I would need a ride home later." Antonio just shrugged and went on eating.

Carlos pushed away from the table and stood up. "I'll give you the money for a cab, mama," he said, pressing some bills into her hand and storming from the room.

"Thank you son," she called, drifting a look of contempt over her indifferent husband.

*****

Jean stood in the shower letting the hot, stinging spray pelt her body. Her tryst with Ross in his tiny flat was not as convenient as she thought it might be. He was right about Esmerelda; she seemed to recognize each new sound with an accompanying reprimand to Ross that, other people needed their rest for work. When she'd arrived home, Allen was already in bed, asleep, and she puzzled over the fact that his pursuit of Tiffany after coffee had ended so early. She rinsed the soap from her body, shut off the shower and stepped out, wrapping herself in a large towel and padding out into the bedroom.

"It's about time," he said, wearing a grotty expression, "I have to get ready for work."

"It's all yours, Allen." She finished drying and began dressing as he lurched angrily out of bed and into the bathroom.

Tonight would be the last opportunity to spend some quality time with Ross before things took up their normal routine, and she felt a little thrill of excitement that transferred to her choice of attire. Studying herself in the mirror, she made a snap decision; tonight she would be sexy Jean. She slipped off her bra and pulled on the cream-coloured top, turning this way and that at the mirror.

Suggestive, but not too revealing. Next, she selected a slim, knee-length skirt in burnt orange and a pair of white, sling-heeled pumps. A pair of silver earrings and a slender chain necklace finished her ensemble, and she paraded once again in front of the mirror, smoothing the skirt and adjusting the top. Not bad at all Mrs. Gregorio, she thought, admiring the result. Then, in a moment of fanciful daring, she reached up under her skirt and slid off her panties. If you're going to be sexy, go all the way.

*****

Donald Gregg heard the paper hit his front door with a thunk and figured, unlike his neighbours, who had to grovel in gardens, planters, and porch roofs for their delivery, at least one lucky break had come his way. He peered across the cul-de-sac from behind his drapes, to Grace's house, searching for any sign of life, then hastily opened the door, grabbed his paper and shut it again—locking it.

Ever since the night at the dealership when she had left him physically and emotionally wrecked – the woman was a dangerous predator – he found himself sneaking around, arriving home well after dark without headlights, and keeping the house in the dark as well. How he was going to get into work today was another story.

Amanda rolled her green Toyota into the driveway of number five, skipped up to the front door and bouncing on the front steps, rang the bell and waited, even though all the drapes were closed. The door opened and Grace stepped onto the sill, discouraging entry.

"Amanda. What's up?"

"Hi, I just took a chance you might be available for a game. I've got Ramon's court time again, he's still taking therapy and can't play."

"Ohh, gee, Mandy, this is not a good time." She looked back over her shoulder. "I uhm, I've got some things I have to do, I don't think I'll be able to get away." Amanda's face fell and she shrugged dejectedly.

"Oh sure, well... okay. Just thought I'd try..."

"Listen, thanks for asking. You know I'd love to, it's just that... well..."

"No probs, maybe next time." She waved a sad hand, and skipped bravely back down to her car as Grace disappeared back inside, closing the door.

As she backed from the driveway, she saw the garage door go up behind her in the mirror and at the same time, her cell phone rang.

"Amanda? It's Donald." He spoke again, interrupting her. "Please, do me a favour and back right into my garage would you?"

"What for?" She braked, watching his house in the mirror.

"Please, just do it. I'll explain. I need a favour." He sounded so desperate, and she had nothing else to do anyway, so she turned the car and backed expertly up his drive and into the garage, watching the door close behind her, immediately. He was waving from the inside door as she got out of the car and fumbled around it in the dark.

"Where are your lights?"

"I've got a small one on in here, c'mon." He closed the door after her and hurried to the front window, peering again through the drapes.

"Do you mind telling me what you're doing?"

Donald took her to the kitchen and sat her at the table, explaining everything that happened since the night at the dealership. When he finished speaking, he leaned across and took her hands, waiting for a response.

"What?"

"What! What do you mean what? She's stalking me! I need your help."

Amanda laughed and sat back, fishing in her purse for a cigarette. "Don't be ridiculous. She played a joke on you, that's all."

"A joke! Amanda she- she raped me!" He bounced up and went to the sink, filling a glass with water and gulping it down.

A plume of smoke shot toward the ceiling. "Did you say no?" She chuckled.

"No. I mean I didn't have a chance. She was all over me."

"Donald, I can't believe what I'm hearing. You're telling me that the good-looking, wealthy, eligible bachelor you are is upset because a very attractive neighbour seduced you?"

"You don't understand." He filled and drank another glass of water.

"I guess I don't. You're not afraid of women, are you, Donald?" She stubbed out her cigarette and stood up.

"Of course not. But this was... different. She attacked me emotionally, pretended my health was at risk."

"Well it will be if you keep on like this. Come and get ready for work, and I'll take you in if that's what you want."

He sighed with relief, oblivious to the fact that she was following him down to his bedroom.