slept in with this man beside her。 They had met in college and had first made
love in his apartment 。。。 that had been less than three months after her
mother drove her from the house； told her never to e back； that if she wanted
to go somewhere she could go to her father since she had been responsible for
the divorce。 That bad been in 1970。 So long ago？ A semester later they had moved
in together； had found jobs for the summer； and had kept the apartment when
their senior year began。 She remembered that bed the most clearly； a big double
that sagged in the middle。 When they made love； the rusty box spring had counted
the beats。 That fall she had finally managed to break from her mother。 Jack had
helped her。 She wants to keep beating you； Jack had said。 The more times you
phone her； the more times you crawl back begging forgiveness； the more she can
beat you with your father。 It's good for her； Wendy； because she can go on
making believe it was your fault。 But it's not good for you。 They had talked it
over again and again in that bed； that year。
（Jack sitting up with the covers pooled around his waist； a cigarette burning
between his fingers； looking her in the eye — he had a half…humorous； half…
scowling way of doing that — telling her： She told you never to e back； right？
Never to darken her door again； right？ Then why doesn't she hang up the phone
when she knows it's you？ Why does she only tell you that you can't e in if
I'm with you？ Because she thinks I might cramp her style a little bit。 She wants
to keep putting the thumbscrews right to you； baby。 You're a fool if you keep
letting her do it。 She told you never to e ba