"Will You Tell Me?"  (1964)
Donald Barthelme

     Hubert gave Charles and Irene a nice baby for Christmas.   The baby was a boy and its name was Paul.  Charles and Irene who had not had a baby in many years were delighted.  They stood around the crib and looked at Paul; they could not get enough of him.  He was a handsome child with dark hair, dark eyes.   Where did you get him Hubert? Charles and Irene asked.  From the bank, Hubert said.  It was a puzzling answer, Charles and Irene puzzled over it.  Everyone drank mulled wine.  Paul regarded them from the crib.  Hubert was pleased to have been able to please Charles and Irene.  They drank more wine.

     Eric was born.

     Hubert and Irene had a clandestine affair.  It was important they felt that Charles not know.  To this end they bought a bed which they installed in another house, a house some distance from the house in which Charles, Irene and Paul lived.  The new bed was small but comfortable enough.  Paul regarded Hubert and Irene thoughtfully.  The affair lasted for twelve years and was considered very successful.

     Hilda.

     Charles watched Hilda growing from his window.  To begin with, she was just a baby, then a four-year-old, then twelve years passed and she was Paul’s age, sixteen.  What a pretty young girl! Charles thought to himself.  Paul agreed with Charles; he had already bitten the tips of Hilda’s pretty breast with his teeth.

[Donald Barthelme, "Will You Tell Me?" in Come Back, Dr. Caligari.   Boston: Little, Brown, 1964.]