about it. If she let Frank touch her, not only would she quickly lose him, but Bernie, too, would suffer the loss of a friend. No, it was much too dangerous.

For almost an hour Frank sat next to her holding the ice-bag. As time passed her face began to show the deep longing. Actually, Bertha wasn't aware of the passion burning in her eyes. The change had come about so gradually.

Finally, Frank laid the ice-bag on a coffee-table. Before she realized what was happening, he had pulled her to him and was kissing her passionately. Her heart was pounding with joy. Then complete understanding filled her. Bertha leaped to her feet and moved to the middle of the livingroom. "You promised," she said, her eyes filling with tears.

"You wanted me to kiss you, Bertha," he said compassionately. "Your eyes were begging me."

She began to weep almost hysterically. "Maybe I did! Maybe I'm in love with you. Maybe I'll never be the same again because of that kiss! But the whole things is impossible."

Frank moved quickly to her, then started to embrace her.

"Leave me alone!" Bertha screamed. She walked to the sofa and burying her head in her arms, Bertha began to cry softly. She was huddled in a pathetic little ball on one end of the sofa.

"Bertha, I understand the problem," Frank said softly.

"No you don't. No one understands. It's impossible. The whole world is impossible. Oh, God, please let me die."

"Dammit, I do understand," he pleaded.

"It's impossible," she repeated.

"Bertha, raise your head and look at me," Frank commanded harshly. She obeyed the command, her eyes now also swollen, and streaks of mascara smudged on her puffed cheek.

"Honey," he began. "I understand your-well, call it relationship to Bernie Glutz."

"You what?" she exclaimed fearfully.

"I've known for several weeks, now." he said compassionately. "I went over to see Bernie, and you came out of his apartment. It wasn't really a shock. I guess I've always figured that Bernie would have made a beautiful female." Bertha's heart was pounding wildly. Bliss began to fill her.

"You see, baby," he continued, "I've been following on several different occasions. I wanted to talk with you, but dammit, I didn't have the nerve. Anyway, I figured by following you around I would be near if trouble happened." "You mean you know about the other men?"

"Yes, and I know why too. The whole thing makes sense. I couldn't really stop you from going out with that Marine, but anyway I was there to pick up the pieces."

Frank moved to the sofa and seated himself beside her. "That remark at lunch today, about going out with girls. I did it to throw you off the track, just lost my nerve again." He offered Bertha a cigarette, then took one himself. "Tell me, baby," he almost whispered, "have you ever thought of spending your life as-well, a house-wife?"

"Yes," she answered softly. "Many times."

Frank pulled Bertha to him and looked tenderly into her soft, brown eyes. "Maybe we can work something out," he sighed.

And deep within her, an unhappy misfit named Bernie Glutz closed his eyes and died.

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