Winners and Losers, book 1, chapter 5

     Meanwhile, Ginger, Taylor's wife, was, unbeknownst to her husband, returning to Cole.  She decided to return home earlier than expected, and surprise Taylor.  The surprise, unfortunately, would not be as planned.

     Ginger had, for some time, suspected adultery on the part of Taylor and a young, well shaped woman by the name of Marie Jones Treacher.

     On the way home, Ginver decided to stop by the country cottage and pick up some recipes she had left there.  As she drove toward the cabin, she saw Marie's car parked next to Taylor's.  There were no lights on in the cabin.  It hit her suddenly, but what she had been suspecting for months, she now realized was true.  She turned around, and headed for town.

     Ginger went to the home of her best friend, Leora Carter, who had recently been divorced.  Ginger and Leora intimately shared each other's secrets.  Leora was ready, at any time, for Ginger to call on her as a witness to a divorce case.

     Ginger went to the door.  After ringing the doorbell, she heard Leora approaching.

     "Hello, dear," Leora, in her housecoat, said.

     "I'm in trouble," Ginger said, "and I need your help."

     As the two sat down, Leora lit a cigarette.  "What's the matter, Ginger?"

     "Did you go to John and Clara's party tonight?"

     "Yes.  I didn't stay long, though."

     "Do you remember seeing Taylor?"

     "Let me see," Leora thought back.  "Uh--yes! He had to leave, though."

     "I see," Ginger said.  "Oh, Leora, I know this sounds like an inquest, but did he return?"

     "I don't know.  When I left, he had not."

     "I have a funny feeling something is going on."

     "You mean--Marie Treacher?"

     "Yes," Ginger said.  "I decided to come home early.  I stopped by the cabin on the way, and saw her car parked by my husband's!"

     "Oh, God," Leora said. "All this time--along along, I thought you were only imagining these terrible things!"

     "Leora, do you think you can be a witness for me tonight?"

     Leora thought about her two small children, asleep, upstairs.

     "The children--I can't just leave them here."

     "I'm desperate," Ginger said.  "You must come to the cabin with me! I've got to get to that cabin."

     "I'll arrange something," Leora said.

     Leora made sure the lights of her next door neighbor were on, and telephoned her.

     "Catherine, I'm sorry to call this late, but do you think you could come over here and sit with Melvin and Susan for a little while.  I won't be gone long, and they're asleep."

     "Certainly," the neighbor said.  "Cathy just got home from a date.  She hasn't gone to bed yet.  I'll send her over."

     "Thank you very much, Catherine," Leora said.

     After Leora dressed, the two women headed for the cabin.

     The two cars were plainly in sight, still at the cabin, as ginger and Leora drove up.

     "Get the keys out of the glove compartment," Ginger said.

     "Ginger, I'm nervous about this.  Suppose they have a gun."

     "I'm not even considering such trivia," Ginger angrily said.  "All I want to do is catch them!"

     "I can't understand this," Leora said.  "Marie's married, too."

     "She's probably a whore," Ginger said.  "I wasn't enough for Taylor! This is probably not the first time, but he won't get by with it, this time!"

     Once inside the cabin, Ginger whispered to Leora, "Stay in front.  I'll let you know when I need
you.

     Ginger walked through the narrow hall, and stopped at the bedroom door.  From inside the bedroom, she could hear the bed rattling and Marie's groans.  She flung the door open, and switched on the light.

     Taylor quickly turned over.  "What th--?"

     "What are you doing here, you damn bastard?" Ginger screamed.  "Why aren't you at home with your wife and children?"

     "Uh--I--what are you doing here? How did you get here?"

     "What do you mean? I'm going to take both of you to court!" Ginger cried.

     Leora entered.  "Well, let's get dressed! You never know who else might be coming by!"

     "This is no time for jokes," Marie chimed in.

     "Stay out of it," Taylor said to Marie.  "You better get dressed and get out of here."

     Ginger and Leora said nothing, and walked out.

     As the two women headed home, Leora said, "I think you've proved your point, Ginger.  I'll be your witness, and I'm sure there won't be any problem with alimony! Look, honey, I'm sorry this happened.  Life goes on."

     "Meet me for church in the morning!" Ginger said.

     "Will do!" assured Leora.