Martin was still asleep when Peggy walked into the kitchen and found Walt sitting at the table. He was drinking a glass of milk and reading the morning paper.
"Anything new on this beautiful Saturday morning?" she asked and kissed him on the head.
Walt put his arm around her waist and pulled her into his side.
He pointed to the newspaper and said, "Yep, right here it says that Peggy Mom is more beautiful than a Saturday morning in the summertime."
"You're something else," she said and slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "I don't believe you but I accept all compliments."
"Believe me, Peggy Mom, to me you are," he said and tried to bite her on the butt before she twisted away. "What time are we leaving?"
It was nearly ten o'clock by the time they got everything together and packed in her car. Martin was awake but he didn't offer to help them. Walt questioned her need for a clothing bag since they probably wouldn't be going anywhere but she dismissed his questions and hung it on the rack in the car. He tried to help carry some stuff out but it was too much trouble for him and Peggy was afraid he would trip and fall down the front steps.
Martin only grunted when she declared that they were leaving.
"Why do you act like that?" she asked with tears in her eyes and in her voice. "What have I ever done to you to make you treat me like you do?"
Marin ignored her question.
"See you when you get back," he said and walked out into the kitchen.
Peggy leaned against the doorframe and watched him walk out of the room. Drying her tears with a tissue, she gathered her purse and sweater and left the house.
"What's wrong, mom?" Walt asked when she sat down and rested her forehead on the wheel.
"It's OK, honey," she said. "Don't worry about it. I'll be OK."
"It was him again, wasn't it?"
"Yes, I give up," she declared and started the car.
"Seat belt, mom," Walt reminded her.
Peggy sat staring out of the windshield for a moment before turning to Walt with a determined look on her face.
"I'll be right back," she said.
"Do you want me to go with you?" he asked.
"No, I'll be right back. You stay here."
Martin was nowhere in sight when she reentered the house. Going to their bedroom she opened her dresser drawer and took out her old jewelry box. She opened it and removed a little velvet bag before replacing the box in the drawer. Removing her commitment ring, she put it in the cut glass jewelry bowl on the top of her dresser and went back out to the car.
"What's that," Walt asked when she put the bag into her purse.
"Just something I will need later," she replied and smiled at him. "Ready? Let's go."
Walt dozed as she sped down the interstate. She glanced over at him and saw that he was sleeping peacefully. Her thoughts went to their relationship and she felt a shudder of passion when she remembered the previous night.
She was in love with her son and she didn't know what to do about it. It was so wrong on so many fronts that she couldn't rationalize what they were doing based on society's rules. On the other hand, it was so right from a personal standpoint that society's rules did not apply.
