he traveled a lot and she was often in the house with little to do . for that last year , things had been so much better . it is two in the afternoon . he 's already hard as a rock for me . not only had i moved out suddenly last month , but i 'd sort of been bad about picking up the phone when she 'd called , too . sweat was dripping down my back , and the work gloves he 'd given me kept slipping as i jerked the carpet . 