The Cambridge Chronicles

I am a nervous wreck today. In Harvard Square I saw the man who tried to pick Simone's pocketbook yesterday. We were on a bus coming back from her dentist appointment. He was sitting behind us. She noticed something. Thought it was the window flopping back and forth. It was a hand. She was excited. Wanted to move. We went to the front of the bus. He got out after a few minutes. Today he got out of a car by the bank. He seemed reluctant after he saw me. Sat in the car. He was a passenger. Got out and went to the bank, same as mine. I followed. He got in line and I started to fill out some forms on a table. Two or three people lined up behind him. I got in line. He finished and left. I followed a few minutes later. I walked toward Mass Av. He was in the car again. A passenger. I noticed the license number as they went past. On the other side of the street he leaned out the car window and looked back just as I was writing the license down. What to do? He was black, about 5' 6", 120 pounds, beard and mustache, but not full, wearing blue sneakers with a half white circle, a tan-brown shirt with the sleeves rolled up, blue jeans with fancy white stitching on the back pockets, license number 881-AHS, Massachusetts. Should I call the police about it? He obviously noticed that I recognized him. Something to think about.

Other things have been making me nervous today. The last few days with Linda and Simone. Its difficult. I know something happened but the right words fail me at this moment. The situation has definitely evolved. Last time Simone was hysterical. This time I would describe her as sharp and caustic and venomous. She has a better handle on her aggressive behavior. But Linda, on the other hand, says she feels like punching Simone. I suspect that Simone has also some of these murderous thoughts. But she does not express them so directly. Linda is starting to withdraw from the competition. I can feel it. She starts to waiver in her determination to see me and spend time with me. Simone has had two setbacks. Last night Stu and Michael both said they would be moving in with other women. She got desperate from this. Lets get married, she says to me. Nina calls about the ad for the art studio space in Linda's apartment. Oh Richard, she cooes, its for you. You've been calling everyone on your list again haven't you, she says.