Billie Holiday’s gentle tunes permeated the room, casting an intimate spell on the people entwined on the white sofa. In his thirties, Herman shared secret moments in the softly lit living room with his lover, Jezebel.
“This is so naughty of us!” Jezebel whispered. “What if your wife comes home early?”
“It’s been at least a year since my wife got home early!” Herman assured. “We have the whole morning.”
“The whole morning!” Jezebel echoed playfully. “Well, Mr. Loverman, let’s make the most of it then. Give me a kiss that means something.”
Herman discarded his sweater, promising, “That’s not all I’m going to do. Just wait.”
Lost in the moment, a sudden door opening halted them, invoking fear as Herman’s wife wasn’t expected back for hours.
“Who is it?” Jezebel whispered.
“It can’t be my wife,” Herman pleaded. “She told me she had to work late.” Panic set in—then, the front door slammed shut.
A young voice shattered the silence. “What is Herman? Are you there?” Jake, Herman’s son, entered with a bag over his shoulder.
“What are you doing home, Jake?” Herman asked, irritation evident.
Jake explained they were sent home early due to a scare, eyeing Jezebel. “The man, who is this woman?”
Herman denied Jezebel’s presence, fabricating a story about Jake’s shock from a school scare. He instructed Jake to close his eyes, using a ghost trick to divert attention.
As Jake counted, Jezebel slipped into the bedroom, and upon opening his eyes, the imaginary woman had vanished.
“I made her disappear?” Jake exclaimed.
“The ghost is gone. You’re a brave young man,” Herman reassured, bribing him with extra TV time for silence.
Jezebel returned, chastising Herman for lying to his son. Herman, desperate to maintain their relationship, promised to do anything.
“Okay, cool,” Jezebel sighed, sealing their secret pact.
With a flirtatious farewell, she left as Grace, Herman’s wife, returned after dark. Tension gripped the dinner table, with Jake recounting his strange day.
“We left school early today because they thought there was someone with a gun inside,” Jake disclosed, prompting gasps.
Attempting to downplay Jake’s ghostly encounter, Herman blamed post-traumatic stress. Grace, focused on her son, inquired about the ghost’s appearance.
“He was a lady with big, frizzy hair,” Jake revealed, emphasizing ‘she.’
Grace, scrutinizing Herman, sought reassurance. The strained atmosphere lingered even after Jake’s departure.
Grace, determined to address Jake’s concerns, insisted on a psychologist appointment. Herman, defensive, argued about finding a job but reluctantly agreed.
After dinner, Grace urged Jake to talk to the school counselor. Later, Herman tried consoling Grace, but tension persisted.
“I’m taking the afternoon off and going to lunch with Jake tomorrow,” Grace declared, prompting a worried grin from Herman.
During lunch, Jake claimed to see the ghost from the living room, pointing at Jezebel. Concerned, Grace questioned Jezebel about strange events at Moe’s Diner, but Jezebel dismissed Jake’s vivid imagination.
Returning to the table, Grace continued probing, sensing an inconsistency. When Grace borrowed Jezebel’s phone to call Herman, ‘Loverman’ on the caller ID exposed the truth.
Grace, concealing her shock, ended the call, prompting Jake to finish his meal with a strained smile.
Back home, Grace arranged a play date for Jake, then called Dr. Warren for advice. Together, they decided to remove Herman’s belongings, filing criminal charges for emotional abuse.
As the moving crew arrived, Herman, confused, faced the consequences. Grace, with a touch of irony, played the ghost trick on Herman, asserting his belongings were now his alone.
With pale shock, Herman’s deceitful actions caught up with him. Police officers arrived, informing him of his rights before justice prevailed.
Proven right, Grace, in a symbolic gesture, closed her eyes, counted to ten, and faced Jake. United, they embraced an uncertain future with love and courage.