being silly

Frank denied the allegations vehemently, but Ruth was not convinced. She carried on like a dog with a bone, refusing to let go.
“For God’s sake, you crazy she-raccoon! Why can’t you get it into your thick skull? Gina and I are nothing but friends! She’s a happily married woman with two kids – one the same age as Trudy!” he bellowed in defense.
“Oh, yeah? Then why are you slapping on that male-perfume shit on your face every morning before going to work? You’ve never done that before! And what’s up with all the fancy shirts you’re buying of late? It’s because you’re fucking her, that’s why! I’m not stupid, you dirty bastard! I’m going to your work, tomorrow! I wanna meet this whore – face-to-face! And I’m gonna have a word with your boss, too!” she shouted, and poked him repeatedly in the chest with her finger.
“Lay off me, you crazy bitch! I’m warning you!” Frank yelled. He grabbed her finger and twisted it hard.
Ruth let out bloodcurdling screams, and then cried, clasping her finger melodramatically with her other hand.
“You’ve broken my finger, you coward! I hate you! I really, really hate you!” she sobbed.
“Oh, just fuck off!” Frank snarled and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him with such force, the windows shuddered.
Her parents had argued often, but never as severe as they did that day. Four-year-old Trudy was so shook up that she wet herself. Louise changed her clothing and curled up beside her on the bed. She sang softly to her while stroking her hair, until she fell asleep.
Louise felt torn between her anger and compassion. Her jaw still hurt from her mother’s slap in the bathroom two days earlier. Ruth’s verbal abuse, though, had little effect. As years went by, Louise became unsusceptible.
However,...

... middle of paper ...

...er, when Frank pointed out that true Christians had to be fair and nonjudgmental, she buckled finally.
Gina was quite something to behold. Bottle blonde, thick make-up, long red-painted nails, short dress, and extroverted. She was also funny and entertaining, even though it leaned toward crudeness.
Once the initial shock subsided, it was hard not to like her, even for Ruth. Furthermore, she appeared happily married to a man who adored her, and that put an end to the gossip and doubt.
Ruth understood why Beth had thought her husband and Gina were having an affair. It was easy to interpret Gina’s flamboyant personality as being flirtatious, but Ruth soon noticed that Gina’s playfulness targeted both men and women. It certainly seemed so at the time.

CHAPTER TWO
During the weeks that followed, the Devil was playing a game of chess, using the Millers as his pawns.