Viscosity

Anderson arrived at the dance studio fifteen minutes before his lesson was to begin. He leaned against the brick wall, near to the door, and watched as six or seven couples tripped around the room in wide circles while Ms. Valeri clapped her hands in time to the music.
When the music ended and she dismissed the class, she came across the floor, her arms outstretched to receive him and kissed him on both cheeks.
"Mr. Miller, it's so wonderful to see you again. I hope you've been practicing your steps."
"Oh, I have Ms. Valeri, I have."
"That's good, Mr. Miller. Your wife will be mesmerized by your agility. How many lessons do we have before your anniversary?" she said as she reset the music and drew him to the centre of the floor.
"Only two more, Ms. Valeri."
"Wonderful, wonderful."

Anderson cursed under his breath when he dropped the keys and had to put down the suitcase; the other hand was full of newspaper and his mail, just collected from the box. As he stood, he heard the door to the apartment next to his open and Virginia stuck her head out and gave him a quick smile.
"Hi Andy." she squeaked. "How was Detroit?"
"Minneapolis." he said.
"Sorry. How was Minneapolis?" She was breathtakingly beautiful even in cotton track pants and a sweat shirt.
"Not bad." he said.
"Doesn't your girlfriend get pissed with you for being away so much?" She was making fun of him, he knew, but he laughed anyway.
"I hope not. Have you seen her today?"
"I've never met the woman, Andy. How would I know?"
"Don't think I haven't noticed the cameras you've got installed in my bedroom, Virginia." he laughed.
"Found those, eh? Hope your girl doesn't mind. See you later." and she was gone.

"Good morning, Anderson." It was Alice.
"'Morning Mrs. V. I'll just take the coffee this morning. I'm late again."
Alice was alone in the shop this morning and almost hidden behind the stack of magazines.
"Where have you been? I tried calling but no one answered." she said with mock severity.
"Alice, you've got to give this up. What would your husband say?"
"If he says anything it will be a miracle. Besides, he's buried way out in the country and he doesn't get out much anymore." she laughed.
"That is probably the most morbid thing I've heard today, Mrs. V."
"The day is young, my friend."

Clarice Volga was the last of the great family that had founded Volga Inc. three decades ago. When Anderson started his internship twelve years ago she was still a child. Now she was the youngest C.E.O. in the city and counted Anderson as one of her most trusted, if inscrutable, advisors.
"Clarice." he nodded to her as he entered her office.
"Your late." she said.
"So fire me."
"I would if you weren't the best looking man around here. Look at this. I just got it. I think this calls for a bit of a celebration, don't you?" handing him a folder.
"I'll say. That didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would."
"Let me take you out for a drink tonight. Shorty's?"
"Oh, I would love to, Clarice, but..."
"But you have to sit in with your mother, I know. Can't you just take one night off, Anderson? How else can I show my appreciation?" she smiled coyly at him.

He turned on the light and went to the kitchen to pour himself a drink. He sat in the big armchair in front of the t.v. and leaned back, deep into the cushion. The cat came out from whatever hiding place she 'd found and crawled up into his lap.
"Just you and me tonight, Virgo."
Just you and me every night, he thought. He stared absently at the television, his mind wandering over the events of the day. He finished his drink and left the glass on the side table for morning and, despite the complaints Virgo mewled in his direction, he dumped the cat to the floor.
As he collapsed onto his bed, without undressing, he thought about them, all of them, and he wondered why he told such elaborate lies but before he could find an answer to that he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep while the cat pawed at his hand, hoping for a reaction, looking for nothing more than a return on her affections.