It Had Been Years

by Malflic, Michael

  Mother found Donna quite charming, she appreciated her small town background, perhaps herself knowing all too well what type of family that it may entail, but those were details for another day and another time.

  C Metrz & the Old Market

  It took 312 strides, one elevator and 13 individual steps down the stairs from the hotel room to the front entrance to the restaurant. A restaurant in Omaha Nebraska that features sinfully fresh fish in the heart of corn and cow country probably has the right to be slightly pretentious.

  Societal elites and lawyers crowded the place even for the late seating as the Husker and Donna were escorted to their table away from the open hallway at the front of the establishment.

  It had been a long but victorious game day and the buzz in the city reflected the Victory. When your only true sport is college football many fans live and die game by game. Dinner was good but the conversation was rare, the Husker sat unusually quiet, his sport coat draped open, his manner odd. Donna wondered why all of a sudden he had changed. She ate the appetizer. He’d comment but didn’t converse.

  She talked about his family and ask about so and so whom she had met at the game, he answered but didn’t elaborate in his usual manner. Here she was again, in a place not so different form where she came trying to forget who she once was and maybe even a little bit of who she had recently been and the man whose company she kept seemed to be inexplicable withdrawing.

  Just then as the waiter put down the main course and stepped away he broke his silence. His eye contact had been steady even though his words were few. “I need to tell you something” as the Husker began her heart sank into her throat as the husker continued “I did something yesterday”. Yesterday she thought how could he have possibly done something yesterday the thought of another woman crossed her mind, how could she be so stupid. How could she have not seen, but she couldn’t have he was so good at keeping her from others why would she think she was the only one. “I hated to keep it a secret, but now it’s ok for you to know.”

  Donna was puzzled she was lost perhaps it wasn’t another woman but if it wasn’t then what could it be, what could be causing him such trepidation and guilt. She looked on wondering what could be coming next “so I might as well say it” pausing not sure how to tell her “I had Christy resign.” Quickly adding “ I made sure she had another job, more money but not part of my staff.”

  Donna between bites of swordfish inquired “why?” The answer was not one she expected as the Husker nervously said “because I love you.” Somewhere in the dimly lit restaurant over two partially eaten pieces of cooked fish Donna realized she was not a poor little country whore anymore, and even if she was it didn’t matter because after all of the years of searching for someone, a man told her he loved her and for once there was no other reason or motive other than the fact that he really meant it.

  Actions, Intentions, and Words

  By mid morning Saturday Vincent had left his usual band of hoodlums and Steve behind at the gym making his way toward Deb’s hotel when his phone rang.

  “Did I tell you?” Nadrea asked expecting Vincent to know instantly what she was talking about.

  He replies “Did you tell me what?”

  “About today? Are you coming?”

  Vincent was lost in the conversation barely 12 words in, “Nod, what the fuck are you talking about?”

  She huffed audibly into the phone, “I’m having an afternoon party at my place for some friends, and a dinner.”

  “No you didn’t tell me, specifically.” Vincent responded. “You just said WE had plans Saturday night.”

  “It’s in the afternoon really around four ‘til about 9:30. You can still make it, right?”

  She could feel Vincent rolling his eyes “I can but I was going to have an early dinner with that friend of mine who is moving back to town.”

  Nadrea annoyed asked “Are they ugly?”

  Vincent wondered why she would ask but simply said “No.”

  Finally, Nadrea conceded wanting the best possible party she could “Bring them! The dress is erotic chic. I’ve got to go the band is arriving and the caterer’s are already,” taking the phone away from her ear yells “Fucking things up!”

  The call ended uneventfully and Vincent sat down with Deb who was clad in shorts and a sweat shirt in the hotel restaurant. Comfortable clothes for a long day of apartment hunting, something that would the fit need was not so hard to find, but something that fit the need and appealed to Deb was another story completely. Somewhere along the way and being mistaken for a couple Vincent brought up the party, warning Deb that it might be a little be wild. Stunned by his perception of her intolerance replied with “Let’s see, I’m an artist, I lived in San Fran and I still hang out with you, which is about as perverted as it can get.”

  Vincent cautioned her, “Ok, but just to warn you she’s kind of a bitch.”

  Deb laughed at him “Oh, she’s you’re kind of girl. Why am I not surprised.”

  Nadrea fretted the entire day, fighting with the staff, setting up and moving the bar, stalking the valets to make sure they would show up on time and fit the descriptions of who she was looking for. All of the windows were covered and the security staff manned the door, large foreboding men dressed all in black contrasted Mira who would act as the hostess until the last guests arrived and were allowed in. The band set up fog and lights throughout the third floor, lounges on the second and food on the first with two bar set ups on each level and the servants stairs being put to good use as the staff would soon be carrying food and restocking supplies though out the next five hours. The time finally arrived and Nadrea began to prepare flanked by her minions both old an new who were there to “help out” before the party she chose a white suit with no blouse exposing her in a deep plunging V from neck line to waist line. Her hair was down and following its natural lines, her throat adorned with a costume diamond chocker nearly an inch wide and blindingly brilliant and a matching earrings and bracelet.

  Her helpers slipped into their party clothes and the band soon began to play their chords grinding away. The 13 Bastard Souls was actually a 5 piece sonic assault, churning out a symphony of deep growling tones each more disturbing than the last. They were often banned from clubs and bars for the sexual violence contained in their lyrics the final sound check 60 minutes before the other guest would start to arrive was evidence as to why. An over powering drummer kept time with his tattooed arms as the muscle bound singer with Revlon number 5 black hair towered over his band mates and screamed melodically into the microphone.

  “Oh just kill me cause I’m ranting once again

  and can’t you cure me will this nightmare never end

  beat me harder I can’t feel things any more

  bloody and battered but stronger than before

  it’s complicated but I wish I could explain

  some where some time ago I opened up my veins,

  and lying there feeling death was getting close,

  I saw god laughing and I knew life was just a joke.”

  A young waitress watched in morbid horror as he sang flashing wrists that had been horrifically slashed open, a testament to the truth of his words, no line between his art and his reality. His manner cold his words piecing as he questioned “if I were Satan where would I be?” Over and over again, not seeming like he was singing the words but rather that he was pondering the answer. The song continues and Nadrea, and Steph soon sang along, mouthing the words back to him.

  “I’m not paranoid I am just depressed

  this thing is so mundane that I’ve become obsessed

  Hate you forever but it doesn’t feel that long

  Once mistook this for love but I couldn’t be more wrong

  Touch me in a way I never thought you could

  And hurt me in a way I never thought you would,

  Oh no my poor tortured soul

  And I think that I’ve finally lost control”

  As the Si
nger, Nadrea and her minions gather to watch all screamed together.

  “If I was Satan, where would I be?

  If I was Satan, where would I be?

  If I was Satan, I wouldn’t be me.

  If I was Satan what would I be?”

  Their mood mirroring his torment and rage, the twisted visions of a man who one laid dying in a pool of his own blood, from wounds he had inflicted on himself in a failed attempt to ease the torment that was his unfulfilled life. Soon the stage drew silent as warm up concluded.

  Across town Vincent was slipping into his leather pants and for the second time in two nights dawning his combat boots and soon to head out driving with reckless abandon to the radio to gather Deb up for the event. She had a short skirt and simple but somehow playful blouse paired with a low set of heels looking more like a sultry doctors wife at the country club than the other whores both (male and female) who would be in attendance.

  Vincent knowing Nadrea’s timeliness assumed as usual things would not start when scheduled and chose to stop with Deb at the bar for a few pre-party gulps. Steve and Christy were just finishing a late lunch Vincent made himself at home introducing Deb to Christy who despite her recent experiences was as judgmental and shallow as ever, but as Deb stepped away for a moment informed Vincent “I like her more than the bitch you were seeing.” Vincent laughed playing back , “Actually we’re on our way to a party at the bitches house” Christy was not sure what to say, Steve thought the entire situation was funny.

  Around five the action began in earnest at Nadrea’s as the first of the remaining 45 of her closest friends began to arrive, missing was the one who went to the middle of nowhere but other than Donna’s absence Nadrea expected it to a wonderful evening leading into a wonderful night. See through and satin seemed to be the ladies choice with the occasional latex or lycra piece of adornment. Nadrea drank her black Vodka Martini’s mingling from floor to floor like the perfect little hostess, Tiff opted for a black lace cat suit and simple black g string, flaunting her young and curvy figure, toying with the boys for fun as she passed. Steph looked like she fell out of the purple one’s tribute to a precious stone and the orient. As the band played on, pushing their madness to new heights the guests indulges in sins that only Nadrea would provide at a private party, the food exotic and exquisite like puffed pastries filled with lobster chunks and brie, Andouille sausage torts to dies for.

  Had the INS shown up the entire event would have been suspect not because of the nationality of the staff but the in human work conditions as three sushi chefs worked in the kitchen to keep up with the demand, their pace more akin to a sweat shop with a tyrant of an owner than the artful creation of sushi, all of the others from the Valet to the bar tenders worked at a brutal pace to keep everything flowing perfectly.

  Vincent and Deb were greeted at the door by Mira, watching them flow effortlessly from the car to the stairs, she watched Deb with great interest her look not quite where one would expect it to be for such an event. Mira greeted Vincent with a kiss on the lips. “You are both so beautiful. Vincent, who is your friend?”

  He smiled and kissed Mira back “Mira I’d like you to meet one of my oldest friends Deb.”

  Mira looking at Deb stated, “He’s so beautiful, but you’d think by now he know not to use woman and old in the same sentence as unless he meant it as an insult.”

  Deb smiled replying “And Vincent once again proves the really sexy ones are never quite bright enough.”

  Vincent toyed back “Fine ladies be that way. I’ll leave each of you to your own devices, and by that I mean the kind that take batteries.”

  Mira flirted mercilessly “Fine, but I was just thinking tonight might be the night that I finally decide to seduce you. So go inside and have a drink I’ll come for you in a bit.” Her grin wicked and tempting. The pair crossed the threshold into the house the 13 Bastard Souls singing in unison

  “I feel a little bit strange, I feel a little bit scorned

  I feel so fucking deranged but the drugs keep me warm

  One little hit and you start to bleed

  But you keep saying No but I just take what I need.

  My life’s so pornographic

  But still it makes me happy

  Don’t be so trite and jaded

  Now that your youth has faded”

  “Nice song.” Deb stated directed at Vince.

  “I like the rhythm, great guitar tones.”

  Deb looked at him “Did you even listen to the words he’s talking about raping a woman.” Vincent just looked at Deb as she asked, “What kind of party is this? Vincent?”

  He laughs, “I told you she was eclectic, and a little bit wild. I tried to warn you.”

  But no sooner than he finished talking Tiff came bounding up to greet him, her chest bouncing with each exaggerated stride. The band now taking a break made it easier to talk even with the din of the room picking up.

  “Nice rings” Vincent said pinching at her nipples. Deb just stood in shock. Tiffany introduced herself and despite the odd greeting she received from Vincent and her strumpet like behavior Deb liked Tiff. She seemed genuine and friendly. Tiff asked in the course of small talk, “How do you know Vin?” Deb replied, “We’ve been friends for a long time.”

  Tiff pressed for details sharing her own Vincent experiences however limited and Deb began to relax, sipping a black martini and feeling slightly more at ease, the pair mingled through the predominately female crowd Tiffany was a more than gracious guide and they both actually laughed along the way enjoying themselves. At one point Deb admitted, “When Vincent told me the dress was erotic chic, I thought it was just something he made up hoping I’d dress like a whore before taking me to some boring business function.” Tiffany approaching Steph at the time “I can lend you some clothes if you need, I wasn’t sure what I was going to wear.” Deb politely declined.

  Vincent found his way to the third floor a drink in hand, the band beginning to play again. this time the song slower and haunting, it’s melody floating through the air as he spots Nadrea in her Sexy white suite. The singer begins again this time his voice smooth and haunting as the second verse began

  “lines on the bed when I wake up in the morning

  there are words in my head still from the nights before

  a body next to me and I’ve known her for years now

  the storm is over its calm and I’m bored

  and the past is just history and the future is wasted

  but I long for poisons of the lusts I once tasted

  addictions closing in on me, my demons not gone now

  I thought they were but I guess I was wrong”

  Nadrea turned slowly toward him “your friend where is he?” She ask already knowing that it was not a He, Nadrea knew every guest and across the hall she spotted Tiff and Steph with a woman she didn’t know. “it’s a she, her name is Deb.” Vincent casually replied. Nadrea closing in on him, locking her arms around him licking the top of his chest. “Sharing is it out of the question?” Vincent just waited knowing by now tha Nadrea had something else to say. “Sharing her with me? It could be a lot of fun. It’s always better when it’s not a random stranger and I bet she’s so cute that we wouldn’t be strangers for long.” Vincent laughed as Nadrea continued. “Or doesn’t she share? Maybe she won’t want to share you with me?” An obvious trap that he knew not to enter.

  The trio approached Nadrea “this is Vin’s friend Deb”. Nadrea had slithered her way around him, intertwined in his limbs, locked inside of his arms straining to kiss his neck as she flashed her deepest darkest eyes. Eyes that made mere mortals love her instantly, the kind that made old women jealous fearing for their husbands of more than 50 years. A look and movement so alluring that she might have tempted a lesser soul in to whatever she was inclined towards at the moment.

  Deb leaned in to kiss her cheek, “lovely party” and as Nadrea began to unwind herself thinking that Deb was about to be pulled into
her fold she realized that it was just a gesture so that Deb could position herself on the other side of Vincent. The scene is reminiscent of an adult daughter vying for a father’s affection rather than allowing him to share himself with his new wife.

  Nadrea flared in a subtle controlling way that only she could, her glare defiant, her pulse racing, she viewed Vincent as hers and did everything she could with refined subtly except make a circle around him while pissing on the floor to mark her territory.

  Deb was un-phased and unrelenting her position in Vincent’s life had long since been secure and Nadrea in her mind was just another passing chapter. The party escalated in intensity and in substance consumption, most of the party goers would find their way to a club party by nine, Vincent passed through the room, socializing with everyone in sight, flirting mercilessly with every woman that caught his eye, around 7:30 Deb left leaving Vincent alone in a domain where he felt little competition. Nadrea eyed him like prey throughout grateful that Deb had left and certain that Vincent was under her spell.

  After several hours at the clubs Vincent dancing with Tiff, Steph, Mira and of course Nadrea. Nadrea offered “ you can have us all tonight if you want.” Vincent just looked at her and laughed, “what makes you think that’s what I want.” Nadrea not pausing “because what man wouldn’t want that.” Vincent continued to dance soon after excusing himself for the evening. Nadrea offered to go with him and he accepted her invitation. Sitting in his living room the pair were alone, no sounds or lights or others in the distance to entertain and distract them. Nadrea finally fell into a deep slumber, Vincent carried her to his bedroom and laid her gently on the bed.