56 -TIT FOR TAT "1990 SANDY THOMAS

"Victor was with Jack! Were they making 'music' together?”

letic chest. They held that kiss for at least a minute before coming up for air. I couldn't believe my eyes. Something emotional had deeply sprouted roots between them.

That's when it hit me. Victor had lost! Victor was the first to be read that night with Bob and Jack. I was a winner, Tana was a winner. I could get out of this once and for all. All I had to do was betray my friend and tell Tana what happened. I had to think about this.

I discreetly crept away from the hedge, a cool wind tangled my hair. I shivered and got goose-bumps wondering what that was all about. I wasn't sure I wanted to know. I went back to where Tana was sunbathing. She asked

TV FICTION CLASSICS

رد

whether I'd seen anyone there since Donna was supposed to be at her mothers for the weekend.

I said a little shocked, "Nobody's home, that's for sure."

A little later, I roamed over to the hedge again and peeked through. The lawn chairs and glasses were empty. I phoned Victor later, but got no answer. Then I drove down Victor's street and saw Jack's car in front of the house. This was too much.

The next day I confronted Victor with what I had seen and my revelation. He didn't seem overly concerned that I'd seen him having a liaison with Jack when his wife was out of town. "It's simple, Jerry, I'm a girl now and I do what girls do. Donna realizes that and I guess it's time that and Tana come to that realization too."

you

He was wearing a simple peasant blouse and a flowered full skirt. His hair was hanging loosely about his shoulders in a casual style. He had a flower pinned into the side, much like the Hawaiian girls do.

He confessed, "Donna and I haven't been husband and wife for months now. We even sleep in separate bedrooms. We are really roommates. Besides, she isn't visiting her mother this weekend; she is on a weekend getaway with Bob. They are travelling while Jack and I have the house. The next time, Jack and I'll travel while they have the house."

I looked at him like he was crazy. I yelled at him, "I won. ..months ago. No wonder you didn't want me to tell. If I had told, I'd have won. By not telling, I was sentenced to more months of this stuff. I'm telling Tana!"

"Go ahead," he said. "I've never been happier and I must warn you, so is Tana. Donna told me that before all this happened, Tana told her, she was going to divorce you. Since then, she can't talk enough about how much she loves you and your life together. You really were a macho s.o.b.."

Victor was right, I too had never been happier. My life was different, comfortable, happy, relaxed. I enjoyed sharing my life with Tana whom I was no longer threatened by. When she wore a short skirt, I wore one too. I was secure. Could I be secure dressed and competing as a man again?

Victor joked, "How about making the bet. . .two out of three?" Then he added, "Now, I've simply got to go to the