Gazelle

by Bello, Gloria

  Alice chews a wad gum, standing with a group of bored chauffeurs, giant sunglasses on, one hand jabbed into her fitted, leather jacket, the other clutching a sign that reads‘Julian’s Friend.’ She twists back and forth, watching the black and gray material of her gauzy party dress swish about her legs, perked up by patent black heels. The herd of passengers pours from the gates, friends and family moving to greet one another in the holiday traffic. Scott stoops past the bulk of people and begins to bring his phone to his ear to call her to let her know he has arrived when he spots her and grins. She scans the crowd and sees the tall, skinny man, pulling her sunglasses down, wondering if Julian knew anyone ugly his entire life.

  “I’m more than Julian’s friend. At least, I like to think so,” Scott says as he shakes her hand. “Or is that sign to let me know who you are?”

  “Both.”

  “You didn’t have to come in, you could have just picked me up at the curb.”

  “Have you seen that curb? You’d never have found me. Do you need help with your bags?”

  “No, I got it, thanks. Beside, I don’t have change to tip you.”

  “That’s cool. I take I.O.U.s.”

  They start moving towards the doors side-by-side, shuffling through the crowd like penguins. “How was your flight?”

  “The standard issued polite small talk question. I thought we were better acquainted than that.”

  She laughs, surprising him with the charming melody. “Okay, fine. What’d you do this morning?”

  “Better. Still needs work, though. Let’s see…I stopped by my mom’s, dropped off some gifts and the cat. Then I got a slice and got to the airport.”

  “You ate pizza? In New York? Oh, wow, so cliché! I thought you were more original than that, what, with those alligator boots and all.”

  He laughs and glances at her again. “I thought I’d get one more decent slice in before I got here. There’s no good pizza past Maryland.”

  “What! Are you kidding me? We’re like, the capital of pizza town, USA. Italy sends their pizza chefs here to learn how to make it right.”

  “Italy sends their chefs here like the race tracks send their horses to glue factories. They end up chefs at Sbarrosbecause that’s the closest L.A. gets to making something that even resembles proper pizza.”

  “Are you kidding? L.A. is food mecca! Culinary masters on every block! Have you ever even been to L.A. before?”

  “Uh, yeah, that’s how I know. The first time I was here, me and Julian drove all over the city, looking for good pizza. The closest we found was some flatbread bullshit in Santa Monica. Such a disappointment. I wound up dipping the pizza in my beer just so I could choke it down.”

  “Aw, poor baby!”

  “Thank you! Thanks for the sympathy. It was heart-breaking, I live on pizza. I vowed I’d never come back.”

  “And yet, here you are, despite that traumatic experience. So brave.”

  “Agreed. So…are you hungry?”

  “What? Right now?”

  “Yeah! All this pizza talk…I’m starving.”

  “We’re going to the party right now. There’s tons of food, believe me.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t feel like shoving shit cocktail food in my mouth. It’s not real food, you know?”

  “You really want to get something to eat? Seriously?”

  “Yes, yes definitely. Preferably with you. That outfit is pretty hot, by the way. Julian never told me you were so adorable.”

  “That’s weird. That’s usually the first thing he tells people about me. It’s in my contract.”

  “Well, he dropped the ball on that one, totally and completely.”

  “I’m calling my union rep tomorrow. This is total breech. He did tell me you were gorgeous.”

  “Really? He used that word? ‘Gorgeous’?”

  “Yup. Totally gorgeous.”

  “Figures. I always knew he wanted me, that little slut,” he smiles. “So where do you want to take me eat? I feel like we should go somewhere fancy, with you all dressed up.”

  “Well, there’s this great little pizza place in Santa Monica I love,” she laughs.

  Julian is in his yard when his brother and family arrive. He hears the laughter of children rushing at him before he sees them. Two small boys, six and nine with missing teeth and tiny, electric blue eyes that glimmer at the sight of him. He smiles and spreads his arms.

  “Uncle Julian! We went to Disneyland!”

  “You did? No way!” He hugs them tight against his chest. “Did you see Mickey?”

  “We did! We saw him and-he had on a Santa Claus suit. We took a picture with him!” the youngest, Elliot, says as he climbs onto Julian’s neck.

  “Is this your house?” The oldest, Keith, asks, his eyes sweeping the enormous backyard and swimming pool. “Can we go swimming?”

  “Maybe later, yeah. If your mom and dad say it’s okay,” Julian smiles.

  James and his wife Sarah follow slowly with Julian’s mother, Patricia. She is a graceful woman, dressed in a long, regal gown that sways around an elegant and slim figure, crowned with a tender smile that denotes a great humbleness. Julian’s heart skips at the sight of her after so many years.

  “Hi, mom,” he smiles, letting go of the children and embracing her.

  Her large blue eyes well with tears, her thin lips wobble as he hugs her tightly. “My god, Julian. You look incredible.”

  “Thank you, so do you.”

  They hug for a long moment, neither willing to release the other too soon. When they pull apart, she clutches his face and kisses his cheek. “I’ve missed you, honey!”

  “Me, too,” he smiles.

  James clears his throat, stiffens his posture, and draws Julian’s attention. At the sight of his brother, Julian’s whole demeanor changes. His smile draws taunt and he grasps his brother’s hand in a manly shake. “James. Good to see you.”

  “You, too. This place is unbelievable. You really did not do it justice,” James answers.

  Julian kisses Emily’s cheek and gives her a quick, polite hug. She smiles somewhat bashfully. “Hi, Jules.”

  “Hello, lovely. You look amazing, as usual.”

  “Oh, I doubt that. Especially compared to some of these women here, my god! It’s like a living TV land, everyone is beautiful!”

  “Not everyone, trust me,” he says. “You guys want the tour? Come on, kids! Let me show you this dump.”

  They moved single file into the veranda, studying the only loud spots of coloring in the succulent garden Alice has meticulously decorated with tiny Christmas lights and little plastic elves. The boys run about, laughing and playing, tearing off through the house without the adults. James, a thick man with Julian’s features and a receding hairline, moves beside his brother.

  “We missed you at the park, bro,” he says, somewhat quietly. “Your assistant said you went on a little vacation?”

  “Sort of. Something came up and I had to get out of town for a few days,” he answers.

  “ ‘Get out of town?’ That sounds ominous. Is everything alright?” his mother asks.

  He looks back at her and touches her elbow. “Everything’s fine. Just work stuff.”

  “When do you start shooting the movie?” Emily asks as they move back through the living room.

  “The week after next. Well, we start prepping next week, but, really, it starts the week after next.”

  “The week before Christmas? Really? That’s odd,” his mother frowns.

  “Yeah…it’s part of the film. That’s why I wanted to celebrate early this year. I know it’s inconvenient, thank you for coming,” he answers.

  “Of course we’d come, honey! We wouldn’t dare miss it!”

  “I appreciate that. Do you all want wine? Let’s have some wine. CeCe?”

  Cececomes into the room, smiling warmly.“Hi, everyone!”

  “Mom, guys, this is CeCe, my assistant. CeCe, this is my mom, Patricia, James and his wife, Sarah
.”

  “It’s so good to finally meet all of you, I’ve heard so much,” she says as she politely shakes their hands.

  “You’re the assistant I spoke with? The one who helped make our arrangements? Thank you so much,” James answers, studying the beautiful woman.

  “Oh, no, that was Alice. She’ll be here any moment. I handle the more structural aspects of Julian’s career. His schedule, bookings and whatnots.”

  “Wow, Julian, two assistants. I didn’t realize you were so busy,” James laughs in a condescending tone.

  Julian smiles tightly, his eyes flashing over his brother for a moment. “CeCe, can you tell the caterers to get us some wine, please? And come join us when you’re done, I think it’s time we start this party.”

  They sit outside of Inn’ Out, eating cheeseburgers and watching the people around them. The sun has set, the party is about to start. Alice feels her phone vibrate and glances at it.

  “Is that Julian?” Scott asks, dipping his fries in her ketchup.

  “No. CeCe. She’s probably freaking out. I’m very late,” she sighs.

  “On a scale of one to ten, how late are you?”

  “Ten being the latest?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Twelve.”

  “Whoops!” Scott grins.“If you’re late, I’m late, too.”

  She giggles and tosses her phone down. “Yeah, I’m pretty much the worst chauffeur ever, I think.”

  “It’s true. That’s what I’m going to tell them when we finally get there, too.”

  “Really? You’re just gonnathrow me under the bus like that? You’d do me like that?”

  “Oh, absolutely. In a heart beat, baby.”

  “I thought we were so much more…”

  “What can I say? You fed me, I have no more need for you.”

  She laughs and sips her shake, batting her eyes at him. “I have to say, this side of you is intriguing. Take what you want, fuck everyone else. I feel like you’ve developed into a real man’s man at last.”

  “Well,” he sighs, sitting back and scrutinizing his meal,“you took me to a place I’ve never heard of before, didn’t know existed. And, after eating that burger, my eyes are wide open. I feel free, you know? Like, I’ve really lived for the first time in my life. I don’t have time for petty little concerns like the time constraints of others or protecting the innocent.”

  “So…you’re blaming the burger?”

  “I am. Yes. I blame the burger. And you…mostly, the burger….butmostly you, too.”

  She laughs and throws a fry at him. He scoops it up and eats it, making a sour face. “The fries are so gross. They completely ruin the whole meal for me, really. What a downer.”

  “What’s New York like?”

  “Oh, man, where’d that come from? Small big talk! We really are just progressing, aren’t we?”

  “I’m not making small talk. I’m trying to get to know you,” she smiles.

  He leans forward with a wicked, seductive grin. “Is that so? Then ask me something interesting, really interesting. Dig deep. Come on.”

  She studies him. Her mind turns with the challenge, her eyes narrow. “Okay…have you ever been in love?”

  He frowns and leans back. “Still on the small talk level. Try again.”

  “What? Are you kidding? That’s the quintessential, deep conversation question!”

  “Yeah, if you were in some cheese ball, shit tits, romance movie. But, since we are sitting in the very real, very dirty and raw atmosphere of a fast food restaurant, surrounded by real people who you disrespect with such an attempt, you’re gonnahave to try a little harder, I think.”

  “Okay…have you ever murdered anyone?”

  He throws his head back and laughs. “Good! I like that! You’re sharp!”

  “Don’t avoid the question,” she smiles.

  “Okay, okay…let’s see…no. Wait, does character assassination count?”

  “Definitely. Characters are as close to being people as some people get.”

  “Oh, my goodness. Someone’s been watching way too much Pulp Fiction. Okay, fine, then, yes, I have, in fact,murdered someone.”

  “Who? How? And why?”

  “My ex. I told everyone she had chlamydia because she was a slut. And I did it because she dumped me for my roommate.”

  “Wow, that’s…pretty bad,” Alicelaughs in disbelief. “Did she actually have chlamydia?”

  “No idea. She wasn’t a slut, though. I should have never said that. She was a sweet girl. Just in love with my roommate. It happens. I’m not proud of it…but not ashamed, either. Everyone fucks up,” he sighs. “What about you? Killed anyone lately?”

  She smiles and twists her cold fries in her ketchup. “No…but I come close every time Sharleenopens her stupid mouth.”

  “Oh, Jesus! I forgot about her! She’s awful!” Scott laughs.

  “No, she’s not just awful, she’s the epitome of stupidity.”

  “No doubt. I remember sitting at dinner with them,” he says,“and the entire time, she talked about her outfit for some shitty premiere party she was going to the next day. She just wouldn’t stop. And the more we drank, the worst she got. Wouldn’t let the conversation steer towards anything remotely interesting. Oh, god, it was so bad. Every word was about that outfit and what part of her it accentuated, and what designer influenced it. I wanted to rip out my eardrums and beat her on the head with them.”

  Alice tilts her head mockingly and opens her eyes really wide. “ ‘What do you mean? I’m like, totally fascinating, though. Everything I say is gold. That’s why people love me so much and I’m so famous because I was in a vampire blockbuster that was everyone loved!’”

  He laughs and nods vigorously. “Yep. Exactly. I don’t blame you for killing her, based solely on the fact that she starred in that horrible movie. In fact, it’s doing everyone who paid money to see it justice. I totally support it. I will procure us some duct tape and shovels tonight, okay? We will handle this proper at last! Christmas is coming early tonight, baby!”

  “Seriously.”

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” he asks, biting into his burger.

  “That’s a little small talky, isn’t it?” she frowns.

  “No, not at all.”

  “Really.”

  “Yeah, seriously.”

  “How is it not?”

  “Because my intentions are not to continue in the small talk genre with this conversation. It’s strictly sexual.”

  She blinks at his bluntness. He smiles, much more charmingly than she’d ever seen on a man before. She is at a loss for words, and feels very much out of her league. “I see.”

  “You’re blushing.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You are.”

  “I just ate a big meal. I’m digesting.”

  “Oh, I see, okay. Your intestinal workings aside, do you have a boyfriend?”

  “…No, no I do not.”

  “You and the Man, you guys aren’t…”

  “ ‘The man?’…Julian?” she laughs, blushing at the memory of their most recent exchange. “Uh, no. Definitely not.”

  “Really? That’s…weird. You guys aren’t anything?” He dips his fries and chews thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving her face.

  “No…we’re just good friends,” she smiles. “We crossed into the‘Friend Zone’ early on and it’s better for us both, I think.”

  “Yeah, he tends to do better with women and longevity in the‘Friend Zone.’ So no boyfriend, no Julian…are you seeing anyone at all?”

  “…No…”

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean,‘why?’ I don’t know why. Why don’t people generally have boyfriends?”

  “There’s not a general reason. That’s a unique situation, different to everyone. And I’m asking you, specifically you, why youdo not. You’re a beautiful, smart woman with a pretty sharp mouth. I’m wondering how it is such a creature can be single, is all.�
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  “I guess I haven’t met the right guy, right? That’s what I’m suppose to answer?”

  He chews his food, struggling to swallow a big bite. Once he does, he sighs and looks up at her, his expression serious and confident. “You can. You can answer anything, as long as it’s true. You can answer in a lie, even, if you want. But whatever answer you give me, I want you to think about it and why you chose it. See, I look at girls like you, walking around with blinders on the sides of their faces so that they can’t get distracted. Disappearing into crowds, moving so fast you mostly miss them. Once they stop, they’re engaging, enchanting, even mesmerizing. But before you can wrap your fingers around them, they wiggle away and put their blinders up, moving faster than you ever can, like fucking gazelles in the Serengeti, making sure you can’t catch them. I’m wondering why that is.”

  She stares at him, her jaw dropped, stunned at the implication. She frowns once more and picks up her shake. “We just met. How can you possibly make such an assumption?”

  “Because I‘just meet’ a lot of you. And you all drive me nuts. I meet a lot of women, a lot. But I‘just meet’ girls like you,‘just meet’ and nothing more. And I spend my time with the others who haven’t fluttered away at my touch, those wrapped in brighter, tighter, more restrictive clothes that prevent them from bolting, holding onto them because I can, wondering what the fuck is going on in your head, though, unable to even hear the mindless chatter coming out of their mouths. Is it a challenge? Am I suppose to chase after you? When I catch you, will you lose interest? Will I? Is it just the chase? Or are you really, truly, all that you promise? Because, I can tell you, from the outside, what you promise is the one thing every man hunts for from the day their balls drop and they sprout their first pubes.”

  He dips his fries and points them at her. “Whether they realize it or not, what you promise is what they need, crave, live and die for.”

  She stares at him, completely speechless. He blinks at her and his seductive smile returns, dusting his hands of salty remnants. “Let’s go get a drink.”

  The party is in full swing. The house is packed with friends and acquaintances, mingling and drinking, listening to electro mix. Julian slides his hand down Sharleen’s back, scanning the crowd, again, for either Alice or Scott. His eyes lock on CeCe, laughing with her husband and some friends. He frowns at her, and she quickly puts her phone to her ear to call them once more.