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Textual Encounters (The Christine + Jake Affair)

Page 13

by Morgan Parker


  11:40am:

  Jake, please be reasonable. I love you.

  --------------------------------------

  Thursday February 14, 2013

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  7:23am:

  Happy Valentine’s day, Jake. Just wanted you to know that I’m thinking about you.

  7:25am:

  I also had a question, one that I have been meaning to ask. I guess if you’re not talking to me, I may never have the answer. But here’s the question, anyway:

  7:26am:

  How did you know that I drive a white Audi?

  7:28am:

  The follow up to that question is how did you know that Peter drives a Range Rover? Even I didn’t know what kind of car he drove when you told me about that dream of yours. The Audi comment was scary enough. The Range Rover is downright mind-bending.

  7:36am:

  Maybe you’re psychic?

  7:37am:

  And if you’re psychic, can you please tell me how all of this mess turns out for us?

  3:12pm:

  I hope that you will find a way to see things from my perspective, Jake. This lie that I’m living, it’s not by choice. I know you will argue that I do have a choice, but you’re wrong. With Peter, there is no choice.

  3:26pm:

  I don’t know how Peter happened to be at the same club that the girls brought me to. We were just dancing, drinking and having a good time when I felt his hands around my waist. I thought it might be him – it has been an ongoing fear since I moved to Toronto – but I was hoping that it was you, Jake. I was hoping that you somehow found your way to where I was. I believed you would show up, I don’t know how, but I honestly thought you might have been the one touching me.

  3:28pm:

  And that would have been amazing, because I have something I wanted to talk to you about, remember?

  3:30pm:

  So I can’t beging to explain the terror I felt when I turned around and saw Peter there instead. He had a charming smile on his face and he looked down on me with eyes that threatened death. Or, at the very least, a world of pain.

  3:32pm:

  It took all of my strength to look back up at him, give him the sincerest smile I could manage and ask him where he’s been. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him so deep that I felt like vomiting. My entire body was shaking and when he asked me why, I said it’s because I was happy to see him.

  3:34pm:

  I knew he would not hurt me in front of the other people at the club. Once we left, that was when I thought I might get what I figured was coming to me. Of course, he was too drunk to drive, but he insisted. And of course, he parked about five blocks away. Where there was no one around to hear my screams or find me until the next morning. I couldn’t speak, I didn’t even want to dare opening my mouth. I worried that I might puke.

  3:36pm:

  Luckily, since meeting you, I have felt strong, determined. When we got to his car, he opened the passenger door like a gentleman but before I could get in, he slammed the door shut and grabbed me by the back of my neck, pressing my face hard against the side of the truck.

  3:41pm:

  Then he spun me around and pinned himself up against me.

  3:42pm:

  Those eyes dared me to try. Try to fight him off, try to scream, try to do anything but exactly what he wanted. And what he wanted from me Friday night was for me to just nod and shut up.

  3:44pm:

  When I said I’m sorry, he slapped me. He told me to get in the car, it was all going to be okay. The entire drive to his house, I had visions of being strapped to an operating table in his garage and looking over at a collection of scalpels on the wall. And then the pain.

  3:50pm:

  But there were no scalpels, no operating table. The torture was far worse. I have been living with him since that night, and pretending like nothing has changed between us. Which is way worse than any torture or beating he could have laid on me.

  3:51pm:

  So I am sorry that your feelings are hurt.

  3:53pm:

  When I come to New York tomorrow, I want nothing more than to see you and look into your eyes and tell you that I do not love Peter. I love *you* Jake. If you look into my eyes, you will *know* that this is absolutely true. I think you *know* it already, but seeing me will reinforce that truth.

  3:55pm:

  This thing between us is special, it’s bigger than either of us. You can’t deny that, can you? And it saddens me that our relationship seems to have taken a turn that I never wanted it to. Because without you, I never would have made it this far. Without you, I would have found a different type of escape after that first night back with Peter.

  3:56pm:

  And we wouldn’t be having this one-way dialogue today.

  3:57pm:

  Jake, you’re my soulmate. Can you please agree to see me for dinner tomorrow night?

  3:58pm:

  Please Jake.

  3:59pm:

  I hope to hear from you soon.

  4:03pm:

  I love you.

  --------------------------------------

  4:12pm:

  Okay. I will meet you after your interview at Lawson.

  --------------------------------------

  4:14pm:

  Thank you, Jake. I can’t wait to see you again and explain things in person.

  4:15pm:

  I love you.

  --------------------------------------

  Friday February 15, 2013

  --------------------------------------

  4:35pm:

  Just finished with John, Rick and another senior partner by the name of Brady. Both of them spoke very highly of you, by the way, and I had to reach down as deep as I possibly could to find the strength to not break down into tears.

  4:37pm:

  So I’m in the lobby of the building, wondering where you’re hiding.

  --------------------------------------

  4:39pm:

  I’m here. Sitting down by the fountain.

  --------------------------------------

  4:39pm:

  Okay, there you are. By the time you get this, I’ll be in your arms.

  --------------------------------------

  7:35pm:

  That couple two seats to your left? I bet she’s cheating on him.

  --------------------------------------

  7:35pm:

  Why are you texting me?

  --------------------------------------

  7:36pm:

  So they can’t hear that I’m talking about them.

  --------------------------------------

  7:37pm:

  Why do you think that she’s cheating?

  --------------------------------------

  7:37pm:

  She’s way too good looking for him. Just like you’re too good looking for me.

  7:37pm:

  Hey, no kicking!

  --------------------------------------

  7:38pm:

  No being a jerk. I was in survival mode.

  7:39pm:

  Jerk.

  7:46pm:

  Stop doing that to my knees. Hands where I can see them, mister.

  7:48pm:

  Jake, that drives me nuts... I can’t text arousal, so if you don’t want me to embarrass you...

  --------------------------------------

  7:49pm:

  You’re no fun.

  7:52pm:

  I think she’s going to call her lover right now.

  --------------------------------------

  7:53pm:

  In the bathroom?

  --------------------------------------

  7:54pm:

  Wanna bet?

  --------------------------------------

  7:54pm:

  What’s at stake?

  --------------------------------------

  7:55pm
:

  If I’m right, you’re mine for the night.

  --------------------------------------

  7:55pm:

  And if I’m right? I’m yours forever?

  --------------------------------------

  7:55pm:

  If you’re right, I forgive you.

  --------------------------------------

  7:56pm:

  Deal. Be right back.

  --------------------------------------

  7:57pm:

  You didn’t have to text that... you could have just told me.

  7:59pm:

  So? Is she really having a piss? Or is she setting up a rendezvous so her lover can finish up what her naive little husband at the table could barely get started?

  --------------------------------------

  8:00pm:

  Well, she’s not going pee.

  --------------------------------------

  8:01pm:

  I knew it! So Funny Man is also Brilliant Man.

  --------------------------------------

  8:02pm:

  Not quite.

  --------------------------------------

  8:03pm:

  Then what is she doing in there?

  8:03pm:

  Well?

  --------------------------------------

  8:04pm:

  Number two.

  --------------------------------------

  8:05pm:

  That just ruined my appetite for dessert.

  --------------------------------------

  8:06pm:

  I have a surprise for you. Don’t move when I get back to the table. If you move, you’re mine all weekend ; )

  --------------------------------------

  8:07pm:

  Then I’ll be moving a lot.

  --------------------------------------

  8:08pm:

  Okay, if you move, I go home tomorrow like I’m supposed to.

  --------------------------------------

  8:09pm:

  Let me know when I can move again. Until then, I’ll put Stonehenge to shame.

  8:10pm:

  OK, what did you just put in my pocket before giving me a wet willie?

  --------------------------------------

  8:11pm:

  For the record, a wet willie is a licking inside your ear. I licked *behind* your ear.

  8:11pm:

  Did you like it?

  --------------------------------------

  8:12pm:

  Okay, so what exactly IS the present I’m not supposed to touch in my pocket? I’m afraid you brought me evidence from the poopy girl...

  --------------------------------------

  8:12pm:

  Well, it’s evidence.

  8:13pm:

  Of what happens when you do that thing to my knee.

  --------------------------------------

  8:14pm:

  Whatever it is, it feels sorta damp...

  --------------------------------------

  8:14pm:

  Then stop touching my legs like that because I’m not wearing any panties anymore!

  8:18pm:

  We should get going, Jake. I need a cold shower...

  --------------------------------------

  8:19pm:

  Do you want company?

  --------------------------------------

  8:21pm:

  Want? Or Need?

  --------------------------------------

  8:22pm:

  You tell me.

  --------------------------------------

  8:23pm:

  Get me to my hotel room and I’ll let you figure that one out on your own.

  --------------------------------------

  Saturday February 16, 2013

  --------------------------------------

  9:35am:

  Did last night mean I’m forgiven for exercising my survival tactics with Peter?

  --------------------------------------

  9:37am:

  Depends.

  --------------------------------------

  9:37am:

  On what?

  --------------------------------------

  9:38am:

  On what happens next.

  --------------------------------------

  9:38am:

  So if I tell you that I just got off the phone with Toronto and told them I was resigning effective immediately, would that be a step in the right or wrong direction?

  --------------------------------------

  9:39am:

  The right direction.

  --------------------------------------

  9:39am:

  And if I told you that I’m checking out three rentals this afternoon?

  --------------------------------------

  9:40am:

  OK, you’re on the right path.

  9:40am:

  Does that mean John offered you the job?

  --------------------------------------

  9:41am:

  Not officially. He said the interview was just a formality, though. I should have an offer on Monday or Tuesday.

  9:42am:

  And if that doesn’t happen, I figure I can shack up with you until I find something else.

  --------------------------------------

  9:43am:

  That’s risky, Christine. Having you all to myself...

  --------------------------------------

  9:45am:

  It’s not a matter of risk. It’s a matter of faith.

  --------------------------------------

  9:46am:

  When are you going back to Toronto.

  --------------------------------------

  9:47am:

  Hopefully never.

  --------------------------------------

  9:48am:

  Then how about you camp out at my place until everything settles down with work and the apartment hunting?

  --------------------------------------

  9:49am:

  Only if you promise to do that thing to my knee again.

  --------------------------------------

  9:50am:

  I thought they were off limits after what I found in my pocket?

  --------------------------------------

  9:51am:

  I’ll make sure I’m not wearing any panties when you do it to me next time.

  --------------------------------------

  9:51am:

  Easier access + having you all to myself + something more permanent...

  9:52am:

  OK, it’s a deal. I’ll work my magic on your knees if you come with me to this work function tonight.

  --------------------------------------

  9:52am:

  Sure, I’d love to meet the people you spend your days with.

  9:53am:

  How about we meet just after 5? After the real estate agent drops me off?

  --------------------------------------

  9:54am:

  Looking forward to it.

  --------------------------------------

  9:55am:

  Me too.

  9:56am:

  I love you.

  5:15pm:

  Are you here? The real estate agent just dropped me off.

  --------------------------------------

  5:15pm:

  Walking through the revolving doors as I type this.

  --------------------------------------

  5:15pm:

  OK, see you in a bit.

  --------------------------------------

  11:18pm:

  Need me to rescue you?

  --------------------------------------

  11:21pm:

  Please.

  --------------------------------------

  11:21pm:

  Ben talks a lot.

  11:21pm:

 
It’s pent-up from spending all week working in our derivatives dungeon.

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