Thrill Me by Susan Mallery

the camera to record what they were here to do. She had enough memory to get through the shoot. She would deal with the wayward clip later.

CHAPTER SIX
    T HE COUPLE SITTING in front of Del had to be the oldest people he’d ever seen. Albert was ninety-five and his wife, Elizabeth, was ninety-two. They’d been married seventy-six years. Together they looked like those apple dolls, with wrinkled faces and tiny raisin eyes. They were small, bent and walked so slowly, Del wondered how they ever got anywhere. But despite their outward infirmities, they were both still mentally sharp and verbally outspoken.
    Del sat on their front porch on the warm afternoon. The overhang provided enough shade for Maya’s liking. The C stands for the 3-point lighting she favored barely fit on the porch, but it softened the faces of the older couple.
    He and Maya had already discussed the best way to handle the interview. They’d agreed that the technology might be intimidating and distracting. So they’d decided to simply do a two-camera setup and get what they could in a single long shot.
    â€œTell me what it’s like to be married for seventy-six years,” Del prompted.
    Albert shook his head. “I know what you really want to know, sonny. Do we do it? You know what? We do. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.”
    Elizabeth sighed. “Albert, he’s our guest. Be polite.”
    â€œWe do it,” Albert repeated. “A little slower because of our bones, but the deed gets done.”
    Del held in laughter. He remembered he was on camera and kept his attention on the older couple. “Thanks for the inspiration,” he replied. “What’s the secret to a long, successful marriage?”
    Elizabeth looked at him. “What makes you think our marriage is successful?”
    â€œYou haven’t killed him yet.”
    She laughed. “You’re right. I haven’t.”
    â€œShe’s threatened to plenty of times,” Albert said. “But I knew she didn’t mean it.”
    They sat next to each other on a padded bench. Their hands were clasped loosely together, fingers laced. Del wondered how many hours of their lives had been spent holding hands. Could it be measured in weeks? Months?
    â€œDon’t take love for granted,” Elizabeth said. “Don’t assume he’s annoying you on purpose.”
    â€œTalk a walk,” Albert added. “Clear your head. And don’t always have to be right.”
    Although they were here to talk about romantic relationships, the last comment made him think about Aidan. Del wasn’t trying to be right, but he also wasn’t sure he’d been listening. While Aidan’s outburst had seemed to come from nowhere, he knew he’d heard the complaints in one form or another over the years.
    They wrapped up the interview. Del thanked the couple for letting him speak to them, then he helped Maya load up the equipment. By noon they were heading back to Fool’s Gold. He’d driven his truck up the mountain and now she relaxed in the passenger seat.
    â€œThey were impressive,” she said, leaning back against the headrest, her eyes closed. “Married for seventy-six years. How did they do that?”
    â€œThey married young.”
    â€œIt was probably considered normal, back then. Today everyone wants a career first.” She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Female economic success is changing the social structure of our country.”
    He grinned. “I heard that, and no.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThere was a challenge in your voice. As if you expected me to step into your trap. I’m not getting involved in a discussion about equal rights for women with you, Maya. I still have another interview to do, and I’m not showing up bruised and bloodied.”
    She laughed. “As long as you admit I’d best you.”
    â€œYou’d hold your own.”
    She relaxed