The Bearded Lady

Unwittingly, Jennifer was a beard for two adulterous colleagues. For years the three of them travelled together. As the third person she lent a certain credibility, especially since the two women shared a hotel room. She never thought it strange that the pair was inordinately fond of poker, and that each night after work they’d insist on an evening of drinking and cards. Jen found it deadly boring but in the spirit of camaraderie, went along with it. She thought, “How could they stand hour after hour of this ridiculous game?” They thought, “Is this cow ever going to bed?”