The U Turn 02:14
Goldy had waited for the repercussions. She had expected some reverb. Admonitions from the old man. Defense. Defeat. She expected disappointment from Silvie. Disillusionment. Detachment.
Instead, seeing the old man's distress, Silver flatly told her to leave after Gold's triumphant gloat over the expose of pictures. She had had an effect, but not the hardening she intended. Silver glared at her with ice grey extinguished eyes, and told her that the thin lines of her plotting would not hold together here. She had no purchase.
What she wouldn't have given to be third party, privy to the discussion afterward. Had she been there she would not have to imagine. Silver was of course understanding. The moment called for listening, and she listened. A stress headache was forming under the skull. She sensed the distress he must be in, fearing condemnation, worse loss of respect. The old man suggested a night walk. They waited till dark.
The sky was pink. Low hanging clouds reflected the warm glow of the nightlife in the nearby town. Snow underfoot, soft and they walked awhile in silence.
Then he began, "I was addicted to her. We were... addicted to each other."
He sighed. Again, they walked wordlessly for a while. Pictures must have been scrolling his mind like candid video. He tried again, "I just didn't believe the child was mine."