by Lola Swain
“Yes,” Katy said as she wiped a tear that spilled out from her bottom lid.
“I am fucking serious, Katy,” Paul said through clenched teeth as he snapped his fingers in her face. “If you embarrass me tonight, so help me God, I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” Katy said as she sat up and stared in Paul’s eyes.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s not nice to take the Lord’s name in vain, you know.”
“Stop with the back-talk! Are you going to embarrass me tonight?”
“Nope,” Katy said and smiled.
“What is…did you one of those pills Dr. Gentry gave you? What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” Katy said and hung her head. “Please don’t say bad words. Nothing is wrong with me.”
“Fine. And you will have a what across your face the whole night?”
“A smile,” Katy whispered as she shook her head. “I will have a big old smile the size of the moon across my face the entire night!”
“Okay, let’s not overdo it. Look, I don’t know what happened to you today in that fantasy domain you float around in. Maybe one of the purple dwarves got sick, maybe the spotted unicorn jumped over the enchanting chocolate cliff and exploded when he hit the giant golden firefly, I don’t know what fucked-up scenarios you conjure up in that bird-brain, but let’s enter the fun land of the normal people right now.”
“I’m here, Paul. I get it. Smiles and laughter. All night. I know this is important for you.”
“Good,” Paul said and sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair.
He looked over at Katy and she stared at him with a smile on her face. He studied her dress, conservative, but in no way stodgy, and was pleased she dressed for her role. She looked elegant, yet approachable. Something he knew the old fuckers liked.
“And you look very pretty tonight,” Paul said as he craned his neck to stare out the passenger window as they approached the front of the museum.
Katy’s heart skipped a beat. It had been ages since Paul told her she looked pretty. Even longer since he said she looked very pretty.
“Why, thank you, kind sir. And you will be the most handsome, super-duper special, special prosecutor in the entire room!”
Paul scowled at her. She was an ignorant, silly lap dog. He thought that he would have been better off marrying the filthy hooker he picked up the night before their wedding. That whore needed to be educated but at least it would be he who trained her. Plus, the hooker certainly would not speak in that insane baby voice that Katy was fond of.
“Enough with that stupid voice, okay?”
“Aye-aye, captain!” Katy said and saluted Paul.
“Jesus, Katy, what the hell are you on?”
“Nothing bad, darling,” Katy said and grabbed Paul’s arm. “I’m drunk on love.”
“Well, sober the fuck up!” Paul said as he looked out the window. “It’s our turn.”
Paul and Katy exited the limo and photographers huddled around them and snapped pictures. Paul had his arm around Katy’s waist as a man who is in love with his wife does. He seemed proud to be seen with her and this pleased Katy more than anything. It mattered not what he said and did before as long as he appeared to love her in public. Katy had the smile Paul liked best plastered across her face for each snap.
She trained herself in the mirror of their apartment when they first moved to Manhattan and she knew they would be attending the most important social events in all of New York. Every night for three months, she placed a professional camera with a large flash on her vanity and practiced her poses. She set the camera’s timer and stuck her face close to the lens and took hundreds of photographs. She knew exactly how to smile and at the exact point she should make her eyes freeze open so she neither looked crazy nor squinty with the flash.
As they walked up the stairs toward the entrance to the museum and made small talk with the people as they passed, the Kirschners were unaware they were being watched by people other than the photographers.
Luca and Lena stood in an alcove and watched the Kirschners exit their limo.
“Well, he’s actually quite handsome,” Lena said as she watched Paul Kirschner walking through the crowd. “And look at her, she’s darling. It never ceases to amaze me how men will cheat on perfectly fine women. Why do you all do that?”
Luca had his eyes glued on Katy Kirschner as he fanned himself with the invitation to the ball. She reminded him of one of his lovers, one of his regular girls in London he saw when business brought him to the city. He heard Lena prattling on about something, but Luca was lost in his thoughts as he tried to remember the name of the London girl he was once so fond of.
“Hello? Are you listening to me?” Lena said and touched Luca’s arm.
He stopped fanning himself and looked at her.
“Ah, yes! Janet Johnson! Jesus, I thought they took that memory.”
“What are you talking about?” Lena said as she took the invitation out of Luca’s hand and fanned herself.
“Nothing, it doesn’t matter. What were you saying?”
“I asked you why men cheat. I mean, Katy Kirschner is a very pretty woman. This Paul goes after children and whores. From what you say, the wife loves him very much. Too much, if you ask me. I just don’t understand why he does it when his wife is so pleasing.”
“It has nothing to do with the wife,” Luca said and grabbed the invitation out of Lena’s hand. “Do you mind? I’m roasting in this tux. Summer wool, my ass.”
“Go right ahead. What do you mean it has nothing to do with the wife?”
“Hold on. Watch them,” Luca said as Paul and Katy made their way through the crowd. “Come out of the alcove.”
Luca and Lena moved out of the alcove and positioned themselves. As Paul and Katy made their way toward the entrance to the museum, Luca nudged Lena forward a bit. He knocked her purse out of her hand so it landed on the ground in the middle of Paul Kirschner’s path.
“Okay, bend over. Pretend to struggle to get the bag. Now!”
Lena bent down and fumbled with some imaginary obstacle that prevented her from picking up her purse.
“Here he comes!” Luca said from behind her. “Let your tits come out a bit. Quick!”
“What do you mean, let them come out? They’re not caged show monkeys!”
“Excuse me, do you need some help?”
Lena twisted her neck and looked up to see Paul Kirschner standing over her. He knelt down at her feet and they stared at one another.
“I’m sorry, I’m clumsy,” Lena said as she looked into Paul’s blue eyes. “I dropped my purse. My dress is tight and I had a hard time getting it.”
“Allow me,” Paul said as he picked up Lena’s purse. “Your boyfriend should have helped you, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
Paul grabbed Lena’s arm and helped her to her feet. He looked around for Katy who kept walking and looked back at Lena and smiled.
“Husband. He’s a bit of an oaf,” Lena said.
Paul was smitten by Lena as he seemed in no hurry to end their conversation. He handed Lena her purse and stood in front of her waiting.
“I understand,” Paul said and extended his hand to Lena. “I’m Paul Kirschner.”
“Lena,” Lena said as she took Paul’s hand. “Lena Maretti. This is my husband Luca.”
Paul turned to Luca and was displeased. He was very attracted to Lena and was already devising a plan to get her telephone number so he could call her when he was available.
Luca scowled back at Paul but gave his hand a hearty shake.
“Paul Kirschner, nice to meet you.”
“You as well,” Luca said. “Luca Maretti. Thank you for helping my wife. She’s always so clumsy.”
“I understand,” Paul said and winked at Lena. “So, what brings you to the party?”
“Business,” Luca said and put his arm around Lena. “I am an investor and my wife loves to throw my hard-earned mon
ey away.”
“It’s a good cause, darling,” Lena said and swatted Luca in the chest with her clutch purse. “My husband is such a cheapskate!”
“No, not really, melon,” Luca said and shook his head. “My wife here just doesn’t understand what it means to actually earn money for a living, if you know what I mean, Paul.”
“Too well, Luca,” Paul said and chuckled. “Women are great at two things: talking up a storm and spending our money.”
The boys had a nice laugh over Paul’s joke and Lena rolled her eyes.
“Not true, Paul,” Lena said and ran her hand down Paul’s arm. “I’m great at more than two things.”
“Yes, I bet you are. You are a very lucky man, Luca. Your wife is absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you,” Lena and Luca said in unison.
“You are both welcome. Well, I better get inside and find my better half. Maybe you’ll allow me the pleasure of a dance with your wife later?” Paul said as he dragged his eyes away from Lena and stared at Luca.
“Of course,” Luca said and clapped Paul on the back. “But only if you’ll allow me a dance with your wife.”
“Deal,” Paul said and winked at Lena. “I will see you for that dance later, Lena.”
As Paul walked away, Lena elbowed Luca in the side.
“You really had to drive home the clumsy bit, huh?”
“And you called me an oaf!” Luca said and swatted Lena on the bottom. “Anyway, that worked well. He was more responsive than I thought he’d be. The wife will be the problem, definitely. The pills will help. They’re in your purse.”
“I think I want to take one,” Lena said and took a deep breath. “I was pretty spectacular with him, wasn’t I?”
“Yes, kitten, you were amazing. And no pills for you! Funny how the wife didn’t even stop, no? She just kept on walking as if she thought the husband was still walking with her.”
“Can you blame her for being preoccupied? Look at what she has to deal with.”
“Okay, enough sympathizing with the Offender, please. It’s only going to make your job harder. Let’s go in. You are allowed three drinks until we get back to the hotel.”
“And how many are you allowed?” Lena said as Luca took her hand and led her up the red-carpeted steps.
“As many as I want. I am the lead Inquisitor.”
“How did I ever forget that? Especially with you reminding me every ten minutes,” Lena said and stared at Luca as they waited at the entrance for their invitation to be scanned by the doorman. “Hey, you know what?”
“What?”
“You look really handsome tonight.”
Luca stared at Lena for a moment and then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you, so do you.”
Lena stared into his eyes and felt that sensation of floating that she used to feel whenever she fell for a guy. She tried to remember why she was there, the mission and what she had to gain or lose if she failed to focus.
Luca saw Lena’s look as well. He was used to that look from women. He shook his head.
“Where’s your head, Mason?” Luca said as he wrapped is arm around her waist and led through the entrance to the Met.
“It’s where it should be…on my neck. Geeze, look at this room,” Lena said as she stared up at the crystal chandelier in the foyer.
“Come on, let’s check your wrap.”
Lena and Luca walked through the foyer to the coat check room and nodded and smiled at the other guests as the passed by.
“Stuffy crowd,” Lena said as they sauntered past old couple after old couple toward the coat check room.
“I see the whores made it to the party,” Luca said as he pointed to a group of women walking toward the entrance to the ballroom.
“No!” Lena said as she stared at the young, beautiful women dressed in very fine gowns. “Are they? How do you know?”
“They always order hookers for these events,” Luca said and smiled at young coat check girl. “Your wrap, pumpkin?”
Lena handed Luca her wrap and looked back at the girls Luca thought were hookers.
“So,” she said as Luca and she made their way to the bar in the foyer, “do they do it with the guests? Like here? How does this happen? I bet they make a lot of money.”
“Looking for a job?” Luca said and chuckled. “I don’t know where they do it. Maybe they just get their numbers for another time, but they are definitely hookers. You’re full of questions tonight. What did you ask me earlier before Paul approached?”
“Oh, the question you avoided? I’d like a vodka soda, tall,” Lena said to Luca as they walked up to the bar.
“That technically counts as two drinks. I never avoid a question.”
“Come on, Luca. You said I’m allowed three drinks…that’s one. I’m not a child. I was always able to hold my liquor. You may not have avoided the question consciously, but you didn’t answer it.”
Luca ordered a vodka soda for Lena and a tall scotch and soda for himself.
“I didn’t avoid any question. What was the question?”
“I asked you why men cheat, specifically, why Paul would cheat on Katy. Thank you,” Lena said as she took her drink from the bartender.
“I gave you the answer. It has nothing to do with her.”
Lena turned and leaned against the bar as she sipped her drink. She looked around the room at all the fancily dressed couples and the men she saw, seemed attentive and loving toward their companions. Watching them made her long for that kind of companionship.
Despite her beauty, Lena never was with a man who seemed to want to show her off in public. When she was in the human world, she always had the feeling the men she chose were almost embarrassed to be seen with her. Possibly because most of them were married or otherwise attached.
“What? That’s ridiculous! How can you say it has nothing to do with her? It has everything to do with her.”
Luca put a twenty dollar bill in the bartender’s tip jar and grabbed his drink and Lena’s arm.
“Let’s sit down over here before we go in.”
They sat at a cocktail table near the ballroom entrance.
“What’s up?” Lena said.
Luca pulled his chair in closer to Lena and ran his fingers down her arm as he looked around the room.
“You okay? Earlier you weren’t.”
“I’m fine. I feel much more relaxed. This helps,” Lena said and took a long sip of her vodka.
“I’m concerned, that’s all. Please don’t drink a lot, okay?”
“Three drinks. That’s it.”
“That’s my girl.”
He said it to test her. And the way her eyes lit up when he said it, he had his confirmation.
“Why are you staring at me like that? I told you I am fine.”
“Lena, why did you ask me the question about cheating?”
“Because I’m interested in a man’s opinion. I had it done to me a lot and I was always too humiliated to ask them why they did it.”
“It doesn’t matter why. It only matters that it happened. You are seeking answers to a question that is part of your old life. A life that is not yours to speculate about any longer.”
“It is too. I am still me. It happened to me. I remember every single goddamned incident of cheating as if it occurred today.”
“That’s the problem. It is not your life anymore. You are not you, Lena. You ceased to be Lena Mason the day you were killed. The person that is sitting next to me right now has never been cheated on. You are a new woman.”
“I know that,” Lena said and pushed a cocktail napkin around the table.
Luca put his hand on top of hers.
“No, you don’t. Look, Lena, men cheat. They just do. I wish I had an answer you would accept, but judging from the amount of times you’ve been cheated on, you wouldn’t accept any answer. It’s in our genetics. It’s in our history. We have a crass need to spread our seed. And when I said that
it has nothing to do with the wife, I meant just that. You’re a beautiful girl, Lena. They didn’t cheat on you because you were anything less than a beautiful girl. And just like the wife, their cheating on you had nothing to do with you. It’s just who men are at a cellular level.”
“That’s bullshit. Not all men cheat. Just because you cheated on every woman you’ve ever been with, doesn’t mean it’s true of all men.”
“I did not cheat on every woman I’ve ever been with. I had a relationship. I never cheated on her.”
“Probably because you found someone who was prettier than you. You were too scared to lose her.”
“No, not at all. She wasn’t an ogre, but she certainly was not the best of them. But to me, she was the best of them.”
“What made her that?”
“She didn’t care. She didn’t care that she was not the most beautiful. She didn’t care that I had a certain reputation. She didn’t care that I travelled a lot and had plenty of opportunity to disrespect the relationship. I remained faithful to her because of that. Because she did not need me more than I needed her. It intrigued me.”
Lena thought about what it must have been like to be Luca’s girlfriend. Nerve-wracking was the only term she could think of.
“That’s what I wanted. To be the one, you know? All girls do I’m sure. They want to be the girl that the guy will do anything to get back. You know, stand in the rain, hold a boom-box up to her window while it plays some sappy love song. I strived to be that girl and never was. I never was the one. It pains me. What happened between you and the girl?”
Luca made a mental note to speak to the Elders about the need for Lena’s memories to be exorcised more. She would never leave the Order if she kept holding onto her past.
“I barely remember. I don’t want to talk about that life anymore, Lena. That’s what I’ve been saying. That life, my life, ended. As did yours. You cannot think about the past anymore.”
“You never have and never will know the hurt of being picked last for the team, Luca. That’s your problem.”
“My only problem, love,” Luca said and brushed a lock of hair off Lena’s shoulder, “is this conversation.”