Chapter 20: Odd Nights

The plumber said it would take a week.

The housekeeper said it would take two, because the plumber was an optimist.

That left one working tub in the east wing, and it was in Jude's bathroom.

"It's simple," Jude announced at dinner. "Ken uses my bath. We make a schedule."

"We do not need a schedule," Ken said.

"We need a schedule. You're a man of schedules."

July put down her fork with great interest.

"What kind of schedule?"

"Odd days are mine," Jude said. "Even days are his."

"What about the thirty-first?" William asked gravely.

"Nobody owns the thirty-first. We share."

Jude heard himself, and went slowly red.

Nobody said anything.

July looked at the ceiling.

William raised his glass an inch toward Ken, without a word.

Ken ate his dinner with the face of a man bearing a great burden.

The first odd day was Thursday.

Jude ran the water at nine, hot, with a capful of something that smelled like cedar.

He was sitting in it up to his chest, with his head back, when the door opened.

"It's your night," Ken said.

"I know."

"The rule says I wait for even days."

"The rule," Jude said, without opening his eyes, "also says the thirty-first is shared."

"I don't see a calendar in here."

"Jude."

"Get in the tub, tutor."

There was a short silence.

Then he heard a belt, and the soft sound of clothes dropping.

The water rose around him as Ken stepped in behind him.

It was a big tub.

It was not that big.

Ken settled with his back against the end and his long legs on either side of Jude.

He pulled Jude back to lean on his chest.

Jude let out a long, happy sound.

"This is the best rule I've ever made."

"It's the only one you've kept."

"I'm very good at rules that have naked people in them."

Ken's laugh shook against his back.

His arms came around Jude's waist under the water, and his mouth pressed against his wet shoulder.

The room was warm and dim, and the water was slick and hot.

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