Requiem for Miriam: A Murder, Crime, Paranormal Drama

By Len Handeland

Sidney and Miriam seem to be the perfect, successful New York couple, but their marriage is a tragic sham. When Sidney’s glamorous mistress, Tori, urges him to get rid of his troublesome wife, a murderous series of events ensues. Sidney kills Miriam in a fit of rage, and with her last breath, she curses him. Tori die horribly at the hands of a vengeful ghost, and Sidney goes on the run.
Maria, an ambitious young detective with a hidden psychic gift, is on the case. With the help of her Haitian lover, Raphaella, a striking, rum-drinking voodoo expert, she tracks Sidney down and goes undercover to entrap him. But Maria soon finds herself in mortal danger from the man she is hunting.
Will Maria and Raphaella get their man? And will Miriam find the justice – and revenge – she seeks from beyond the grave?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Len Handeland
• Release date: May 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005363505

Len Handeland

Len Handeland’s creativity took him from attending FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in Manhattan to hair. He studied fashion illustration, then, years later, a long and successful 27-year career in the hair industry as a sought-after hair stylist, hair colorist, and salon owner. Len owned a salon in San Francisco’s Union Square for nine years and two salons in the town of Sonoma, Wine Country; for eight years, now fully retired from hair, Len became a full-time writer in the spring of 2021.Len is a dynamic award-winning writer specializing in fiction, specifically horror, paranormal, and crime drama novels. Len has enjoyed writing as far back as middle school. To further enhance and better his writing, Len has taken many creative writing classes and, in 2017, attended The San Francisco International Writer’s Conference, which inspired him to write his first book, “The Darkest Gift,” based on his love of vampires. He credits the late Anne Rice for being the author that inspired him the most to write his own dark vampire story. His first book earned him 5-star reviews from readers and professional book reviewers. His first novel became a finalist in the American book fest contest in the fall of 2021.This spring, Len’s novel “The Darkest Gift” was awarded first place in the Bookfest 2022 awards in the category of Fiction/Horror. In addition, Len’s book and author interview were featured in the fall literature issue of “DeMode” magazine, with Len’s book named one of the ten must-read books of 2021. With the completion of Len’s second novel “Requiem for Miriam,” and his third based on his 27 years in the hair industry called, “Tales from the Chair - Adventures and sordid tales of my life in the hair industry,” which recently was awarded first place in the “Firebird book awards” he’s writing his fourth book (“Transplant - The evil that lurks deep within”) to release in February of 2023.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A Stranger in Paradise

Saturday, September 23, 1989, six in the evening,

Manhattan, Gramercy Park.

Miriam stood motionless, staring out of the large window of the penthouse apartment in Gramercy Park that she shared with her husband, Sidney Friedlander. As she caught a glimpse of reflection in the glass, a thought occurred, is that another wrinkle? God, when did I get so old?

She looked out at the many people and cars rushing around, to and from every direction; it had a dizzying effect on Miriam as the room started to spin. She had a momentary loss of balance and needed to sit for a while. The constant stress with her husband coming home late and the arguments that usually ensued weren’t pleasant.

Miriam strolled over to the velour couch and sat down as she waited for any relief from her vertigo. She thought some deep breathing exercises might help lessen the severity of her dizziness. As Miriam sat there in the quiet of her living room, the only sound heard was her breathing as she methodically inhaled and exhaled, hoping the increase in oxygen flow would lessen her vertigo. After several minutes, she started to feel like her old self as the dizziness began to subside. Miriam’s husband wouldn’t be home for another hour or two, so she took advantage of her time spent without him.

As she sat there and looked around their penthouse, comforted by the exquisite antiques and artwork they had collected over the decades, she began to reflect briefly on her past.

Her life hadn’t always been surrounded by luxury. The first flashback to her past began when Miriam was a little girl back in 1939 Nazi Germany.

Miriam was born to two loving parents, Josef and Ulrika Kirschbaum, and had a younger sister, Gertrude, in the city of Heidelberg. Her parents were strict but loving. Josef was a tailor, while Ulrika was a mother to Miriam and her sister and homemaker. Together they faced overwhelming and terrifying anti-Semitism at the hands of the Nazis and German society that had only grown increasingly more violent and dangerous as time went by—culminating in the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht), when all of the Jewish-owned businesses’ storefront windows were shattered, including Josef’s tailor shop which was also set on fire. With the destruction of his shop, Josef had no other choice but to leave Germany, and fortunately did so before World War II, and the horrific, unimaginable monstrosity that occurred. The slaughter of six million Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis.

Miriam and her family felt blessed to have gotten out alive. Their friends and other relatives were tragically not as fortunate. Later they would find out the rest of the family perished in various concentration camps throughout Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Austria. The names of these death camps included: Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, Dachau, Theresienstadt, along with many others.

Once they arrived in England, where a distant family’s cousin lived, they finally felt some relief. Shortly after their arrival the horrific bombing of London occurred, which the Nazis described as a blitzkrieg. They endured many nights in a cellar while the bombs dropped over London.

Once the war ended, the Kirschbaum family immigrated to America, the land of opportunity and freedom, arriving at Ellis Island and settling in New York. They managed to the best of Miriam’s father’s ability in a new country with Josef barely speaking English.

In addition to the challenges of settling in a new country, they also suffered, as most European immigrants at the time did, by living in lower- middle-class neighborhoods and the overall poor living conditions of their small, cramped apartment. Each of them were deeply emotionally scarred and lived with their post-traumatic stress and guilt for having survived, as best as they could manage.

Miriam’s thoughts quickly fast-forwarded to when she was in her late twenties and when she met Sidney Friedlander. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. His parents also escaped the horrors of the Nazis in neighboring Poland and settled in America.

They formed a bond through their shared horrific and psychologically scarring past that each of them miraculously managed to survive. Naturally, their mutual physical attraction only added to their desire to be together as a couple.

One of the things that impressed Miriam was Sidney’s height; he was just under six feet, that and how strikingly blue Sidney’s eyes had appeared. Miriam was mesmerized by their color and his charming and witty personality combined with a quirky sense of humor. Miriam would later discover a darker side of Sidney as well. He was known to have a violent temper, which she would encounter firsthand.

Sidney attended medical school and studied to become a doctor, not just a doctor but a heart specialist. One of his goals was to eventually be hired at one of the many prestigious hospitals in Manhattan. Miriam remembered how well-mannered he had been, and having acquired what’s known by patients seeking medical treatment as a good bedside manner must have been something else that appealed to her as well. Indeed she was smitten with Sidney for sure.

Manhattan, 1955, Stork Club

Mother always told me I should marry a doctor, Miriam nervously admitted as she blushed a bit and swirled her olive around her martini glass as the restaurant’s pianist softly played Gershwin’s Someone to Watch Over Me, in the background.

Sidney looked at her with a puzzled expression and sarcastically said, So we’re talking marriage already? We’ve only just met.

Miriam looked at Sidney, shook her head, and laughed off his snarky remark. Miriam wasn’t offended; she felt she had met her knight in shining armor and quickly forgave him. Miriam was getting used to his unique sense of humor, which, combined with his charm, intelligence, and drive, would lead Sidney to a prestigious position, she was sure of that. His quirky sense of humor provided mild entertainment for her.

Sidney, I had a wonderful time with you, but my mother will start to worry if I stayed out any later than this, Miriam admitted. She sounded almost embarrassed as she glanced at her watch and finished her martini, and reached for her purse, indicating she was ready to leave the club and that their date had come to an end.

I must admit, I’ve had a marvelous time with you as well, Miriam. By chance, are you available next Friday? I would love to see you again. There’s an ice-skating rink in Central Park I would like to take you to. Do you like to ice skate? he asked, brimming with enthusiasm.

Miriam also thought she would return a snarky remark and said, Where do you think I’m from, Minnesota? She figured if he could deliver clever, if not sarcastic, lines, then why couldn’t she? Miriam liked to think of herself as a modern woman. It was, after all, 1955, and she was no longer a child but a grown woman in her mid to late twenties.

Miriam’s goal was to be married before she reached the old maid phase of turning thirty. She wasn’t about to let Sidney go, not if she could help it.

Listen, I don’t know how to ice-skate. I’m not even sure I’ll like it or even break something, but I’m willing to try. Besides, if I were to hurt myself, then at least I’d have a doctor by my side, she said teasingly as he extended his hand to hers, which she graciously took and got up from her seat.

That’s great! I used to go ice-skating as a teenager in Central Park; that’s where I’d like to take you, well, that and dinner afterward, of course, he said with excitement in his voice.

As they exited the nightclub to the tune of Chances Are by Johnny Mathis, the song seemed appropriate, given the connection Miriam and Sidney had made. As if suddenly by chance. Overall, it had been a perfect evening.

As they were leaving Miriam caught a glance of herself in the mirrored wall, seeing the outfit she had carefully chosen for her date, her finest wool suit and dress, along with a string of white pearls, accompanied by her handsome date, Sidney, who wore a sports jacket, tie, and fedora. It was the era of formality, good manners, and elegance.

Sidney hailed a cab outside the club with a loud whistle; Miriam was always impressed by anyone who could make that kind of sound using only their fingers and mouth. She attempted it in the past but never quite succeeded in making any audible sounds and gave up and figured that would be one of Sidney’s duties to hail cabs with his powerful whistle. The thought of this handsome, well-educated guy studying to become a heart specialist regulated to whistleblowing for cabs made her chuckle slightly under her breath.

Sidney’s talent at attracting cabs with his whistle paid off as a big, yellow cab abruptly pulled over narrowly missing a few other cars, as honks from other drivers were heard at the corner of East 53rd, where the driver stopped to pick them up.

The cab stopped in front of them, with the driver’s window rolled down as the cab driver asked, Where to, Mac?

We’re going to take this fine young lady home, Sidney told the driver as the two of them stepped into the cab and sat down.

And where might that be? the driver said, sounding irritated. Sidney shot the driver a dirty look, which concerned Miriam a bit; before Sidney could answer him, Miriam spoke up.

Driver, take me to 225 Remsen Avenue, and make it snappy! Miriam said forcefully.

Right away, Miss, he replied and looked at Sidney in the driver’s mirror, seemingly impressed by Miriam’s directness.

As they rode along, they held hands and gazed into each other’s eyes, smiling and canoodling. To the young couple, it seemed as if they were the only two people on earth, oblivious to the driver and him announcing they had arrived.

We’re here, the driver repeated, sounding agitated.

We heard you the first time, Sidney answered mockingly as the two of them started to laugh. Wait here, he told the driver as he got out of the cab to escort Miriam to the front door. He glanced up to the upstairs window, where he saw an older woman looking out with a pained expression; he figured it must be Miriam’s mother.

Thank you again for a splendid time, Sidney, she gushed.

You are most welcome. The pleasure was all mine. Say Miriam, do you mind if I kiss you goodnight?

I guess one kiss won’t hurt, she replied and watched as he leaned towards her as she felt his warm breath close to her mouth as they began to kiss each other tenderly. Just then, the window above them opened loudly as the couple heard the older woman’s voice with a distinctive German accent say, Miriam, it’s late! You have to be up early tomorrow, followed by a disapproving look which appeared on her face. Miriam could honestly say, that was the night she fell in love with Sidney. They stopped kissing and looked each other longingly in the eyes, smiling, as they continued holding hands until Miriam said, I think I better go inside, or you might get a chance to meet my mother, and that wouldn’t be under the best circumstances, she cautioned as her mother slammed the upstairs window shut. See what I mean? she asked as she looked at Sidney standing next to her with his mouth open as if in total amazement as she began to laugh.

The honking sound of the cab interrupted them. Hey Mac, I don’t have all night, the driver yelled sarcastically.

Alright, alright, keep your pants on, Sidney replied in a half-joking manner. I’ll be counting down the days until our next date Miriam, he shouted as he sprinted towards the cab and got it.

I can hardly wait, Sidney, she said softly to herself as the cab sped away, with both of them waving their goodbyes to one another. Despite Sidney’s charm and witty sense of humor, there was another side to him, his mood swings and a bit of a temper. Miriam wondered if this was something she should be concerned about and quickly dismissed that thought and instead said aloud, Goodnight, my sweet prince, until next Friday night. She uttered a small sigh and walked inside her parent’s home.

Present day, 1985 the Friedlander’s penthouse apartment

Sidney walked into the living room and said, I’m home, Miriam, which sounded more like a statement than a greeting and that perhaps she should rush into his arms and welcome his arrival with a kiss just as she had when they were first married, but that was a long time ago.

Instead, he was greeted by silence as she glanced at him for a brief moment, then quickly turned away from his gaze after a brief pause and said, I can see that.

Sidney sensed she was upset about something. Not wanting to probe into her negative mood, he chose to ignore her remark and asked, How was your day?

Uneventful, but I’m sure yours was far from that. I’m going to bed, Miriam said sounding indignant and gave him a disapproving look.

So soon? It’s only eight o’clock, he replied.

Sidney, I have to get up early tomorrow morning; the museum needs me, she answered, sounding agitated and not wanting to further their discussion.

More than I do, apparently, he replied, sounding equally irritated, and made his way over to the bar to pour himself a cocktail. If he had to deal with her in this mood, he would definitely need a drink or two.

Miriam went over to him and stood as close to him as possible and coldly said, By the way, Sidney, you smell of perfume. Maybe next time, you ought to wash your face and neck before coming home. She scowled at him and turned to leave the room with a dramatic, audible slam of the double door entry, leaving him alone in the silence of the room.

Once Sidney had poured his drink, he walked over to his favorite wingback chair and sat down as his mind raced with various thoughts. He found it rather odd that Miriam could detect a trace of perfume on him; he remembered being so careful he’d even showered before leaving Tori’s apartment just to get her scent off his body. Perhaps the smell of the perfume had come from his shirt? He got up from his chair and walked over to the Steinway grand piano, where he and Miriam had gathered during happier times with friends over the years singing Broadway show tunes to the likes of Cole Porter and Rogers and Hammerstein.

Sidney looked at a picture of himself and Miriam, taken several years prior; he thought, where is that beautiful, sweet, spirited wife I married thirty years ago? Why did everything turn sour? Does she even love me anymore? Do I still love her? And what if she finds out? She will ruin me financially and expose me to all of our friends and family. He accidentally knocked the picture off the piano as it hit the marble tiled floor with a loud crash, shattering the glass inside the picture frame.

Sidney knew in his heart, much like the shattered glass laying on the floor, their marriage was much the same, broken and beyond repair. He thought about their many differences. Once they had immigrated to America, she was raised in Brooklyn, unlike him, a city boy from Manhattan, plus the fact that she wasn’t anything more than a commoner while he had studied hard and made something of himself.

Of course, that didn’t prevent Miriam from putting on airs and describing herself as cultured, even securing a job as a curator at one of New York’s museums. Still, Sidney’s hard-earned money spent working as the chief heart surgeon at Cedars Sinai hospital provided everything she longed for and dreamed about: a luxurious lifestyle. The couple was highly regarded in Manhattan’s affluent and well-respected social scene, including the opening of the ballet, the symphony, cocktails at various homes, and many charitable black-tie fundraisers, that is, until Miriam started to avoid crowds. It seemed to Sidney that everything he provided for her, including amassing an expensive art collection, jewelry, and luxurious furnishings, not to mention their prestigious penthouse apartment, all went unnoticed or, more accurately, unappreciated by Miriam. Sidney felt that his wife had a gross sense of entitlement, which angered him.

Sidney fell asleep in his chair and was unaware of exactly how long he had been asleep or how many cocktails he had consumed once he awakened. He looked at his watch; the time read one a.m. The last time he checked, it was a little past nine o’clock. Sidney decided it was finally time to join his now long-asleep-wife in bed. He figured the atmosphere in their bedroom would match the weather outside, as chilly as the fall air.

Sidney walked down the long hallway and occasionally glanced at the many paintings on the wall. There were priceless works of art from Chagall, Picasso, and Gagnidze. Sidney entered their bedroom and got undressed and glanced over at his wife, studying the lines and wrinkles on her face, which made him feel old despite them being only a couple of years apart in age.

Before putting on his pajamas, he walked over to the mirror in their master bathroom and glanced at his naked body. Sidney managed quite well for a sixty-year-old man. He was blessed with being well endowed, had a gym membership, few wrinkles, and his salt and pepper hair matched the color of his mustache perfectly, which made him look all the more distinguished, not old; or at least that’s what he kept telling himself. However, that same look seemed to attract all sorts of younger women, which made him feel desirable, appreciated and least of all, old. His good looks frequently tempted Sidney with other women.

He climbed into bed next to his sleeping wife and tried to sleep but found it impossible due to his wife’s heavy breathing, which usually prevented him from getting a night of restful sleep. Sidney was a light sleeper and pondered many thoughts at night, which generally involved his main mistress Tori and their get-together, which was soon to be and something he anxiously waited for. Being with her was all Sidney needed. He decided at that moment to end all of the other affairs he’d been having with various women for years. Tori would become his one and only.

Tori Kessling was one of New York’s top fashion models. They met a year prior, at Cedars Sinai, when Tori’s brother Roger came in for heart-related tests. Sidney and Tori’s eyes connected instantly, and both formed a mutual physical attraction.

Tori slipped Sidney her phone number while her brother was getting dressed in the bathroom once the exam finished; their affair began a week later. They developed a code when Tori attempted to reach Sidney at home. Both agreed that if she called, Tori would only let it ring once and hang up. Upon hearing that, Sidney knew it was she who had called, requesting a callback. He would then call Tori once Miriam went to bed, which never became an issue as he was a bit of a night owl and Miriam usually turned in much earlier than he.

When he was with Tori, she made him feel youthful and alive as opposed to being around his wife, which only made him feel as if he were only partially alive, with one foot already in the grave. The sex with this striking, glamourous young woman was intense, and luckily, Sidney’s heart was strong enough to take their rigorous lovemaking sessions, which occasionally lasted for hours. Sidney was wise to undergo routine heart exams; the last thing in the world he wanted was to suffer a heart attack and be found lying naked in some woman’s bed. In addition to their physical relationship, he wined and dined Tori at the most expensive restaurants in Manhattan, making her feel more than a sexual plaything. Tori earned a steady, healthy income as a top model, so Sidney knew their relationship wasn’t purely based on money as perhaps some of his other affairs with much younger women were. Tori seemed genuinely interested in and attracted to him; of that, he was sure.

Sidney’s affair had become more than just that; it had blossomed into a relationship. Yet, he still had his wife to contend with. Being a woman of a certain age, Miriam had become a bit of a recluse, only venturing out of their penthouse apartment to work as a curator at New York’s museum of modern art or on an occasional walk with their neighbor Ida Shapiro, someone Miriam felt she trusted and could confide in.

Sidney made damn sure if he and Tori got together for lunch or dinner, it was far enough uptown not to be discovered by his wife, dare she go out in public, and running into each other at the same place despite the unlikeliness of that to occur.

One of those unique restaurants Sidney and Tori regularly frequented was Jams, located in uptown Manhattan at East 79th Street. It had become their special place. Of course, they enjoyed plenty of other restaurants, including Manhattan’s other notable restaurants, Le Cirque, The Trattoria, and Quo Vadis. They spent equally as much time in restaurants as in Tori’s bedroom.

Sidney had another hunger besides food, which was nothing short of primal sex, something his wife would never agree to, and even if she had, he had lost interest in her physically a long time ago. Tori had been only too willing and accommodated her lover’s every desire and request. Their love-making became more bizarre and sometimes involved the use of costumes, such as leather hoods, whips, and handcuffs.

Tori sometimes suffered bruises due to their sexual escapades, which grew more violent and unpredictable over time. She reminded Sidney that those very same bruises he inflicted would show up in photographs and that a model who appeared battered would most likely not get a lot of print or runway work. Despite that, it happened frequently, Sidney s propensity for violence becoming almost uncontrollable.

Tori discovered a dark side to Sidney, which intimidated and frightened her. Sidney had manifested fits of rage against his wife, which seemed to consume him at times. Tori felt her lover’s ire was misdirected and used on her during their love-making. Sidney shared with Tori the feeling he was being used as a bank that provided the money just so his wife lived the lifestyle to which she had grown accustomed. Their conversations eventually turned to Sidney threatening to leave his wife on many occasions. This evening would be no different.

Sunday, September 24th, seven in the evening, Midtown Manhattan at Tori’s apartment on the upper eastside

After their love-making had ended, their conversation revolved once more around Miriam. If it’s so difficult living with her, why don’t you simply divorce your wife? she asked innocently, propping herself up against her pillows.

Are you nuts? And let her get everything I worked so hard for my entire life? She spends my money as if it’s water. God knows she doesn’t spend it on trying to improve her looks, she doesn’t go to the hair salon, she doesn’t go on extravagant shopping expeditions, but the artwork, that’s where most of my Goddamn money is spent! She doesn’t deserve any of it, least of all a huge divorce settlement! Sidney snapped and seemed to spit out his words.

Well, she does work in a museum? Tori replied, lightening the mood slightly, never expecting his violent reaction.

You think that’s cute, that sort of remark? he said as he grabbed her by the arm.

Sidney, you’re hurting me; let go of my arm! she squealed in protest, trying desperately to break free of his powerful hold. I’ll hurt more than your arm if you’re not careful! as he tightened his grip on her forearm. "No, Shiksa is going to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do as it relates to my wife, or my money," he retorted.

Sidney, stop it; you’re scaring me, Tori yelled as she began to cry. Sidney released her arm, which had become red, and would most likely become a bruise saying, Hey, babe... Tori, I’m sorry, you just said something that pissed me off, as he struggled with his apology.

Yeah? No shit. Listen, I won’t stand for this Sidney, I’m not your wife! Why don’t you direct your anger against her and not me? she said as she lit a cigarette. Better yet, get rid of her. Tori suggested, sounding mysterious.

Get rid of her? You mean, as in kill her? he asked, his eyes searching Tori’s as his eyes grew wide.

That’s exactly what I mean. With her out of the way, you and I would be able to be together for good, Tori explained and looked at him with those seductive, bedroom eyes of hers. Sidney got the hint and felt himself becoming aroused once more.

I think we have some unfinished business to attend to, he said suggestively. Tori got up and proceeded to unzip his pants, holding his engorged member, leading him over to the bed. What followed was an hour of steamy sex as the two lovers performed intercourse in every possible position imaginable. They were filled with passion until both of them exploded in ecstasy once again, covered in sweat.

Tori propped herself up on her pillows and lit another cigarette. She was everything his wife was not. Not only strikingly beautiful, but equally as intelligent, which defied whatever stereotype existed about models and blondes being intellectually inferior. So how are you going to do it? she asked as she took a drag of her cigarette and blew the smoke out in a perfect ring.

You’re asking me how I’m going to kill her when I haven’t fully decided on doing that yet. Sidney muttered almost resentfully as he got up and stood near the window, looking out at the many lights in the city that never sleeps. I should go; it’s getting late, she’ll be concerned, he admitted, sounding apologetic.

When and how? she asked forcefully.

I don’t know the answer to those questions, he answered, sounding frustrated.

Sidney, I want to be with you, not just for sex, not just to go have lunch or dinner in private, constantly needing to watch our backs, so we’re not discovered. Don’t you see? She’s the only one standing in the way of our being happy together, she retorted as a frown came over her angelic face. I’ll think about it, he said as he exited her bedroom and stepped into the shower. As he lathered himself up, he thought about the last time Miriam had detected perfume on his shirt and how Sidney had remembered this time to bring an extra shirt with him to avoid that. He would leave the shirt he had been wearing here at her apartment as the door to the shower opened, and there once again stood his vision of beauty, his blonde goddess.

Looking for some company? she suggestively asked as she bit down on her lip. Sidney gently pulled Tori into the shower, and both laughed and playfully began to wash each other as the warm water and soap cascaded down their naked bodies. Once they finished, Sidney turned the water off and insisted he needed to leave; her obvious scheme to come onto him in the shower hadn’t worked. Sidney, indeed was concerned about getting home to Miriam. From that moment on, Tori developed a loathing for his wife. She wondered, how was it that this awful, aging woman held such power over him? She vowed that she and Sidney would be together and that they would be rid of her before long, and that Miriam’s husband would be the one to end her miserable life once and for all.

Chapter 2

Lies and Deception

Sunday, September 24th, Gramercy Park the

Friedlander’s penthouse, 11:30pm

Sidney arrived home late as he entered the front foyer in darkness. Miriam had turned off every light and had already went to bed. Sidney walked into the kitchen and decided to grab a snack before going to bed. He and Tori hadn’t eaten dinner while his rumbling stomach reminded him of that. As Sidney opened the bread box, searching for anything a bagel or crackers, his eyes were drawn to what looked like a note propped up against their expensive Italian coffee maker.

He picked up the letter and read what Miriam had written. The note read, Another late night Sidney? Be sure to wash the perfume off before coming to bed; it smells cheap and disgusting, just like your whore - Miriam

That same old anger bubbled to the surface as he crumpled the note in his hand. He wasn’t entirely sure if it was the tone of her snarky letter that caused him to react this way or the fact that Miriam knew he was having an affair. Still, other than the scent of perfume, which he told Miriam was from some of the hugs he received from the girlfriends