Exiles5

They’d been friends for fifteen years. 

When Sal sat with Kellie at a beachside cafe and told her of her affair with Crow, Kellie burst into tears. She'd been giving up cigarettes. It was ten days since her last one, so she was crying a lot anyway.

The waitress placed their lunch in front of them. She wore tiny black lacy shorts.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want you to see me as one of those women. You’re married, you know ... you may be one of those women who despise ... my kind.”

“You deserve so much better than this Sal,” Kellie said, mopping her tears and then some salad dressing with the same napkin. “Why did you ... how long?”

“A few months ... okay six months.”

“Oh!” Kellie sounded both titillated and dismayed. “And this is a casual thing?”

"No." Sal told her that she’d originally hoped he’d set her up with one of his friends.

“Well, he’s not going to do that now is he?”

“No, no. That would be a bit creepy.”

“God Sal. What the fuck are you doing. Of all people ... You. Crow!”

“Shh!” said Sal, glancing around the close tables in the cafe. “Don’t say his name too loud.”

“You will get crucified, Sal.” Kellie laid her dark Scorpio eyes on Sal. “No one ever punishes the man. It’s you. You’ll get tarred and feathered. He’s high profile, loving family, three beautiful daughters, perfect life, small town, blah blah blah. Jesus, Sal.”