Briefly Borrowed

“Who is Peggy and why are they avoiding her? I still can’t believe we’ve been forced to share a room in this no-tell motel. This is a new low, even for us,” Shay whispers under the blanket.
“Keep your voice down. They’ll hear you.” A creature of habit, Poppy rubs his hands together. “I’m thinking Molly might be his mistress.”
“His what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he’s seeing her on the side.”
“Is this Peggy woman his wife?”
“Again, I don’t know.”
“Barry Epstein, what have you gotten us into this time?” she asks, throwing out his given name.
“Please lower your voice.”
“I don’t care if they hear me. I don’t like her. Come on, Poppy. You surely agree it was a bit awkward when she walked out of the bathroom naked as a jaybird.” Before he can answer, she responds with a kick to his knee. “Hers was the second crescent moon I’ve seen tonight.”
She attempts a laugh, but he is quick to place his hand over her mouth. A finger pressed against her lips begs her to be quiet.
Buried under the blanket, her eyes grow wide when the neighboring bed replies with repeated squeaks. “Sounds like they are taking their first violin lesson,” she says giggling like a schoolgirl.
“I think they agree with you.”
“Surely they realize we can hear everything, and by everything, I mean the lip-smacking, whispering, and the occasional moan and groan. I swear she’s giving birth over there. Their activities have me feeling like a lowly prop in a low-budget porn film, and he’s the Ever-Ready Bunny—keeps going and going and going. I’m betting he’s packing a Duralast Gold.”
“The car battery?”
“The one and only.”
“Shay, please. You’re killing me here.”
“Are they hiding under the blankets, too?”
“How would I know?”
“Take a peek.”
“I’m not going to look over there.”
“You should. You got us into this mess.”
“What if they are watching us?”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. We’re hiding under the sheets talking about what they just might be doing above them. We’re forced into shame while they’re rocking the headboard. I’m tempted to jump out of this bed, flip on the light, and demand I get my money back.”
“Let’s just get through tonight. We can’t drive home. The weather is iffy and I’m exhausted. Besides, it would be awkward to pack and dash.”
“Poppy, I’m not comfortable sharing a room with them.”
“You heard the desk clerk. This is the only room available.”