Quiet, tense, careful and, not unreasonably, frightened, Tom and Helen managed to remain unseen by them. Tom had stayed behind and used the pay phone to call home.
Sharon was pissed, mostly at Jimmy’s calling her three times, on a weekend, to ask if she knew if and when Tom would be coming by the studio. Tom absorbed the blow and said he was sorry. "Spare me the bullshit, Tom," Sharon said, and hung up, leaving Tom to worry about not only whether Sharon knew he was lying, but if she knew exactly what he was lying about. Tom and Helen cooled it for a week and a half before meeting again.
This time, Helen prepared a cover. Tom was a little slow on the uptake. Tom ran his fingers through his thick brown hair, leaned his head back and laughed softly. Tom said. "Yes, Tom, it did," Helen said. Tom’s head drooped. It was Helen’s turn to lean back. Tom looked up. "Come on to you," Helen finished.
Tom cringed. Tom said nothing.
"Jesus, you’re difficult," Tom said. "Thank you, yes," said Tom.
"No," said Helen. Tom’s eyes followed him for a couple of seconds. Then he turned back to Helen. "Adultery is a big step," Helen answered. "Stop it," Helen said sharply. "All right, no running off," Tom said. Tom paused and took a deep breath. "Don’t forget ’rich,’" Helen interrupted.
"Has the hots for Tom Mannheim," Helen said.
"Yeah," Tom said.
"Well, I do," Helen said.
"To tell you the truth, Tom," Helen said, "I thought what I wanted was control. Tom closed his eyes as he spoke. Helen said to the waiter, "I’m sorry. Tom did half of what he was told. Helen didn’t sit down. Tom stood up awkwardly. Helen pulled Tom around the corner toward the women’s room. "Jeez-zhus," said Tom, pulling away. "We’ll make love," Helen said. This time, Tom let the obscenities pass. Jimmy asked. Sharon does the bills. Tom stood with his back to Jimmy, caressing a beam of the sculpture with one hand. "Lindsey Hynes. Jimmy paused for effect. "Continue," Tom said.
"Helen and I were just talking over a proposal she’d been handed by her boss," Tom said, "for a big anthology on modern sculpture. "Jesus, Jimmy! No," Tom said.
"I wouldn’t cheat on Sharon."
Tom asked, downcast and defenseless.
Tom turned around. "Do me a favor, Jimmy," Tom said. After a short while, Tom yelled "Jimmy!" twice, three times. On the third, Jimmy cranked his head around in Tom’s direction. Tom gestured for him to turn off the sander. Jimmy obliged.
"You’re right," Tom said. Jimmy smiled and nodded.
Sharon sent the older girl away from the table.
"Really?" said Sharon, sarcastically softly.
Sharon dropped her head into her hands.
"Natalie," Tom said. Tom turned back to Sharon. "Jesus Christ," Tom said. Then, turning back to Tom:
For no reason, Tom, for no reason."
"Sometimes the balancing act gets tough," Tom said. Tom watched Sharon inhale again. Tom held out his hands, as if holding a globe. "Nice speech," Sharon said. "Thanks a lot," Tom said quietly. "You’re not interested in screwing Helen Issacson," said Sharon.

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