Next Door

Pause

Paul was impressed with the wisdom and authority of Sam. Having the radio turned up made sense now, for Sam was speaking like the right hand of God. When Sam paused for effect it was still next-door. All ready the miracle was working. “And,” said Sam, “If I’ve learned one thing from working with all of you wonderful people out there, it’s this: if folks would swallow their self-respect and pride, there wouldn’t be any more divorces.”

A lump grew in Paul’s throat as he thought of the beautiful thing he and Sam were bringing to pass.

“…And now, for Mrs. Lemual K. Harger, from Mr. Harger – I love you! Let’s make up and start all over again.” Sam choked up.

The radio went off next door. The world lay still.

A purple emotion flooded Paul’s being. Childhood dropped away, and he hung, dizzy on the brink of life, rich, violent, rewarding.

There was movement next door. Slow, foot-dragging movement.

“So,” said the woman, “you want your wife back? All right, I won’t get in her way. She can have you.”

There were three gunshots.

Paul jumped into bed, and pulled the covers up over his head. In the hot, dark cave of the bed, he cried because he and All-Night Sam had helped kill a man.