Suddenly, they heard the doorbell ring. Jim started to get out of the tub, but Sharon stopped him. "Where are you going?"
"To answer the door, obviously."
"Don't. Maybe they'll go away," Sharon said.
Jim was a little perplexed by Sharon, but given her current state-of-mind, maybe it was understandable why she might be acting a little paranoid.
"And if they don't? Maybe it's important. Let me just see who it is and send them on their way."
Sharon looked unsure, but then finally relented, letting Jim go.
Moments later, Jim was heading towards the front door, a towel in his hand, trying to dry off his wet clothing from the tub. But the moment he opened the door, that towel hit the floor almost as fast as his jaw did.
"Well, it's about time," Sharon said, standing outside.
"Sh-Sharon? But how ... what's going on?" How did Sharon get outside? Or maybe this wasn't Sharon at all. Maybe the Sharon that he had left in the bathroom wasn't paranoid after all. Maybe she was right when she said that there was an impostor out there ruining her life ... and this was that impostor!
"Sorry. I must have misplaced my key. It wasn't in my purse, for some reason. But I saw your car outside and knew that you were here and could open the door for me." She paused, then said "Jim? Are you going to let me in? It is my house, after all."
Is it, though? Jim had to wonder.
"Why were you out of your house, and on your birthday, too?" Jim wanted to know.
Sharon grew a little irritated. "I don't like this accusing tone of yours, Jim. I was out buying decorations for my birthday party, obviously. I told you I was going to do that today. Don't you remember?"
Actually, yeah. Jim did remember her saying that. Okay, so maybe this Sharon was the real one. But if this one was ... then who ...
Jim turned and ran back towards the bathroom.
"Hey, where are you running off to?!" Sharon called out, before shaking her head and entering the house, closing the door behind her.
After entering the bathroom, Jim saw ...
Sun Aug 02 22:30:09 2020