Retreat Part 2

The New Man, ignoring all awkwardness, shakes hands with Vice-Boss's husband, Paul, and puts his hand up for the vice-boss to high-five, which she, shockingly, knows how to do. Paul puts on shirt. The contessa and I dump our bags in living room and walk out back. Paul and the New Man already talking about tennis. Say, preemtively, I think I'll just sit by the pool. Vice-boss says she will sit by the pool too. The Contessa, the New Man and Paul go off to tennis court. Realize have absolutely nothing to say to the vice-boss. Feel extremely uncomfortable. She doesn't say anything either, but am almost certain that it doesn't bother her. Say, I think I'll go put on my bathing suit. Vice-boss turns the page of her paperback. Says, Will you bring me some iced tea when you come back. Says, Thanks, without looking up from book. Bathroom counter bristling with lotions. Majority of lotions (or as the French, and many of the bottles say, soins, pour le mains, corps, visage) promise (collectively) to Reverse damage caused by sun, smoke, and Aging. A magnifying mirror with a light in prominent position on counter. Have looked into magnifying mirrors before and don't wish to repeat experience. Nevertheless, find self clicking on light and examining face. Visage very upsetting, consisting of pits and incipient pimples connected by rough patches of skin. When younger, felt very strongly that would welcome lines on face as a sign of Wisdom. Thought that Ruggedness was attractive. Have since revised opinion. Apply mixture of most likely soins to visage, focusing on crows feet and middle of forehead. Put on bathing suit. Stop by kitchen to get iced tea. If pour myself a glass too, won't feel like a servant. Open refrigerator. Discover iced tea in glass jug. Only other contents of refrigerator: small jar of cornichons, a tube of anchovy paste, and a plastic bag of wilted parsley. Panic about lunch. Find stale saltines in cupboard. Squeeze anchovy past and cornichons on four saltines. Cram into mouth before anybody comes in. Chew quickly. Take glasses of ice tea out to pool. Vice-boss asleep in deck check. Resist impulse to spill tea oh her. Settle self down on chair with own book. Become very hot in the sun but am unable to move deck chair to shade or to jump in pool. Rue snack.