As she kneaded the dough for that night’s supper, Juliana caught a glimpse of her reflection in the open kitchen window. The wild child from years ago had been replaced with a confident, sexy woman. No cover girl, for sure, but not bad at all for a well-seasoned dame of a certain age.Β
Long brown hair, hazel green eyes and a captivating smile more than made up for her slightly prominent Sicilian nose which only added to her unique beauty (or so she had been told). She was not tall and thin but her legs were long and her curves voluptuous. No skin and bones, this one. Laughing lustfully, she thought βmore like a handful …. or β¦. a ripe mouthfulβ. She laughed at herself often β¦. another appealing characteristic (or so she had been told).Β
Her laughter rippled through the sun-kissed Sicilian air. Brushing an errant lock of hair from her face, she continued kneading and massaging the dough with sensual, undulating back and forth motions.
Looking outside, she noticed the handyman, Santino, across the veranda smiling, watching her appreciatively. Should she smile back or simply ignore him?Β Β She had seen him working next door several times before …. no movie star, he …. but there was something intriguing about this stranger. That familiar fantasy began surging in her mind. Was it his powerful arms, the cigarette dangling from his lips, his crooked smile, the devilish twinkle in his chocolate eyes?Β
Chuckling heartily, he pointed to her, then began wiping his face with his hand. Glancing quickly at her reflection, she saw a streak of flour across her forehead and nose. Mortified, and barely managing to maintain her composure, she reached for a towel to clean her face. Suddenly he roared with laughter and she realized in her haste she had wiped her face with the discarded flour sack, not a towel.
Now she, too, was consumed with laughter, tears streaming down her floured face, doubled over in giddy convulsions. Regaining self-control, though still giggling despite herself, she stood β¦. only to find she was face to face with this charming rogue. Spellbound, she allowed him to gently wipe the flour from her face, her eyes never leaving his, tiny gold flecks dancing provocatively as he looked at her intently.Β
“I prepared lamb stew for supper. Would you like to join me?”
YOU ARE SUMMONED TO VIE FOR THE HAND OF PRINCESS AMIRA!
Fifty answered the royal command. Upon seeing Amira, everyone gasped; she was stunning. The double of her late grandmother, she grew more beautiful every year .. skin as white as porcelain, eyes as blue as crystal waters and hair the color of the stars. Her loveliness was surpassed only by her cleverness. She longed to be married but found men boring and inane.
Amira motioned for everyone to sit and in a confident voice addressed them:
βOne among you will be my husband! Marriage is not based solely on appearances. To win my hand, you must be clever and smart. These fifty parchments, one for each of you, contain three riddles. You have two days to solve them. Record your answers on the parchment, returning them to my secretary. Use your brain; only a clear head and clever mind will win my hand.β
Forty succumbed on day one. On day two, the remaining ten reported to Amiraβs secretary. Nine answered incorrectly and were dismissed. Only one had all correct answers. Placing the parchment in her desk, the secretary presented the victor to Amira.
βGreetings, clever prince! What is your name?β
βI am Khalil but I am no prince. I am squire to Prince Wahid. He could not answer your riddles.β
βAnd YOU can? Let us begin!β
βI can only live where there is light but will die if light shines on me. What I?β
Khalil answered βA shadow.”
βThe more there is, the less you see. What am I?β
He replied βDarkness.β
βWhat disappears the moment you say its name?β
Khalil said βSilence.β
βExcellent, Khalil! All correct! But you tried to fool me.β
βWahid is a dolt, besotted only by your beauty. He is not worthy of you. Please afford me one opportunity. I have a riddle for YOU. If you answer correctly, we shall marry. If not, I will leave immediately.β
Intrigued, Amira agreed.
βHe loves a princess though his blood is not royal.
He has nothing to give, just a heart that is loyal.
He has no earthly treasure but is clever and smart.
And can promise his bride all the love in his heart.β
βWho am I, Amira?β
Reaching for Khalilβs hands and drawing him closer, Amira whispered:
Playboy: a man, especially one who is of comfortable means, who pursues a life of decadent pleasureΒ Β with multiple women.Β
Meet Dr. Robert Chase. Even in hospital scrubs, cap and a surgical mask with only his eyes visible, the man was an Adonis. It may be hackneyed but women wanted him and men wanted to be him.Β
He was rich, handsome, clever – an expert on the dance floor or in the OR, adroit in the boardroom or the bedroom, charming but not cloying. He attracted people and he was admired by all.
Robert was what is called in the trade a βnip/tuck guyβ β a plastic surgeon whose clientele consisted of rich women looking for bigger boobs, fuller lips, tighter butts and curvier hips. There was no doubt he had hooked up with most of his patients. In his office he had a provocative poster β half woman/half cello β with a quote by Pablo Casals:Β βThe cello is like a beautiful woman who has not grown older, but younger with time, more slender, more supple, more graceful.βΒ
However, there were two peculiar qualities about Robert that defied explanation: #1) He was married to a gorgeous, funny and smart woman, one any man would be proud to call his wife; why the insatiable need for other women? #2) For someone who was incredibly worldly, he could be uncharacteristically naΓ―ve. Perhaps it was his ego or self-denial that made him so reckless as to give women his real name, home and cell phone numbers β the road to perdition.
Robert was the keynote speaker at a medical convention in Miami. Since he wasnβt slated to speak until the third day, he decided to troll the beach to check out the ladies. It wasnβt long before he spotted a fetching redhead chasing her errant beach umbrella in the wind. He came to her rescue, catching the umbrella and securing it in the sand. They talked for a while β her name was Scarlet β and made plans to get together that night for dinner. Robert was his usual charming self and the evening ended with Scarlet inviting him back to her room where he spent the night. In the morning they exchanged phone numbers and he kissed her goodbye.Β
That afternoon Robert discovered a topless beach and, as a nip/tuck guy, he was in his element. He strolled over to the tiki bar and struck up a conversation with a voluptuous blonde named Denise. Giving her his business card, she jumped up, grabbed his hands and planted them on her breasts. βFeel them!β she demanded. βDo you think theyβre the same size?β Not skipping a beat, Robert suggested they go up to her room where he could give her a βproper examβ. He was quite thorough and it didnβt take much convincing for him to spend the night. Next morning he put Deniseβs number into his phone and bid her farewell.
Leaving Deniseβs hotel, Robert collided with a bikini-clad goddess on roller skates. They tumbled onto the boardwalk clinging to each other. Looking into Robertβs eyes, she said ,βIβm Rita. Pleased to meet you.β Biting her bottom lip, she asked if heβd like to join her for coffee βor somethingβ. Robert groaned in frustration, explaining that heβd love to but he had to get back to his conference. After exchanging names and numbers, he impulsively kissed her, promising to call.
At the close of the convention, Robert was invited by three other doctors to stay in Miami for a few days of golf. Robert agreed and called his wife Sophia to tell her heβd be home in four days. They played eighteen holes every day and relaxed in the evening with prime steaks, fine whiskey, Cuban cigars .. and girls galore. Robert was a legend among his friends and they were duly impressed. They would joke around by saying βDr. Robert Chase .. always on the case.β
Finally after a week away from home, Robert was ready to return to his lovely Sophia. If she knew of his philandering, she never let on. She was always occupied with lunching and shopping with her friends or going to the spa. And he was sure to return with shiny baubles, flowers and Italian chocolates .. her favorite. On the plane ride home to Santa Monica, Robert busied himself by looking through his iPhone at all the new lady friends he met in Miami. There they were in all their glory .. names, numbers and photos. Donβt want to lose track of those lovelies!
Robertβs driver Charles met him at the airport and upon arriving home he was surprised to see some unfamiliar cars on the driveway. Grabbing Sophiaβs gifts, he bounded up the stairs and into the house calling her name. Sophia came running to greet him. βHurry, Robert! You must say hello to my guests!β She pulled him out to the veranda and much to Robertβs shock there sat Scarlet, Denise and Rita .. all looking like the cat who swallowed the canary.
βDarlingβ, Sophia purred. βYouβve been a very busy boy. You see, when these charming ladies started calling here looking for you, I decided it would be nice if we all met and had a little chat. They certainly had a lot to tell me about you and Miami. Are you alright, darling? You look very pale. Here, have something to drink.β But before Robert had a chance to reach for the glass of champagne, Sophia threw it at him and slapped him hard across the face.
Robert reeled from the smack. He was stunned, humiliated, desperate and begged pitifully, βSophia, please, let me explain.β
βNo! Not one more lying word from your filthy mouth! What a damn fool Iβve been all these years!β Sophia snarled at him. βYour bags are packed and Charles will drive you to a hotel. Do not try to see me or contact me in any way. My lawyer will be in touch. And Robert, before you go .. leave the gifts.β
With vacation just one week away, Lauren was excited about buying a new bathing suit. Over the past year she had been diligent about diet and exercise and lost 65 pounds. She was proud of herself and eager to show off her great new figure.
At the mall she passed a few swimwear shops until one caught her eye. There was no loud music or glaring, off-putting lights; rather the atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. Feeling comfortable, she went in.
βWelcomeβ said the saleswoman. βMay I help you or would you care to just browse?β
Lauren explained her recent weight loss and asked for a few suggestions.
Impressed with Laurenβs recent accomplishment, the saleswoman said she needed an eye-catching suit that would leave everyone speechless. Darting between display racks, she returned with three suits for her to try on β a blue and white polka dot bikini, a strapless jungle print bandeau and a simple one-piece with matching tunic set.
Lauren entered the softly-lit dressing room. Stepping into the one-piece, her breath caught when she saw her reflection. The suit fit her perfectly, modestly showing off her curves, while the subdued shades of purple and turquoise shimmered slightly. The purple cotton tunic provided just the right amount of coverage. βI look amazing!β she whispered.
Lauren bought the set and as a first-time patron received a coupon for 15% off her next purchase.
During the week she was busy packing. On Friday morning an Uber picked her up for her flight to Mexico.
In her hotel room Lauren put on her bathing suit, cover-up and stepped out into the pool area. She found a free lounge chair and swept the tunic over her head. Suddenly she heard loud gasps, laughing and lewd whistling. Looking down she was appalled to see her beautiful new suit had turned totally transparent in the bright sunlight!
Grabbing her tunic, she covered herself, humiliated. Immediately hotel security arrived and escorted her inside.
Back in her hotel room Lauren suddenly noticed the tiny label inside her bathing suit β βTHE REVOLUTIONARY βDARE TO BE YOUβ COLOR-VANISHING SUIT!β
Bags packed, she tossed the scandalous suit into the trash thinking ruefully to herself, βcaveat emptorβ.
βIt is raining againβ Rachel thought woefully as she looked out the window of the Manhattan apartment she shared with her boyfriend Jeff. βAnd the weather forecast is for rain all week and into the holiday weekend!β She and Jeff talked about getting away for a few days, maybe to Washington DC or to Boston but the weather all along the east coast looked bad. Labor Day weekend was just a few days away and it would be great to escape this incessant rain.
βIt is raining like crazy!βexclaimed Jeff as he entered the apartment. βIβm soaked, hon. Toss me a towel, would ya? Weβve been talking about getting away for Labor Day. Why donβt you check the computer for vacation spots while I get changed? Iβll be back in a sec.β
βIt is raining everywhereβ whined Rachel as Jeff returned to the living room. βI thought about going to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or Disney World but theyβre having rain, too.β All evening they checked out various places, with no luck. They were about to give up when Jeff shouted βWhoa, babe! Look what I found on Expedia .. two round trip tickets to Cabo San Lucas for $296 per person and only $200 for the hotel! AND NO RAIN IN SIGHT!! Letβs go for it!β Rachel threw her arms around Jeffβs neck shrieking βCabo! Swimming! Mojitos! SUNSHINE! HELL YEAH!!β
It is raining. Little Joseph, only four years old, is riding in the back of a big black car, his mother Carla by his side. They are following a long flower-covered car. Mommy said daddy’s in that car but Joseph can’t see him. Their car stops; other cars arrive. Everyone is dressed in black. They’re all crying. Everyone follows some men carrying a long black box into a grassy field. ‘Is this a picnic?’ Joseph wonders. The men lower the box into a large hole in the ground and mommy tells Joseph to “say goodbye to daddy.” He is confused but follows her lead, tossing a flower into the hole. They return to the car. Carla lights a cigarette, smiles and tells Joseph daddy won’t be coming back. Joseph is sad and doesnβt understand why daddy would leave without saying goodbye. Looking out the window he waves bye bye with his little hand.
It is raining .. again. Joseph wants to play with mommy but she says “No .. I’m busy on the phone”. He goes exploring the cellar where there are lots of boxes .. great for climbing and building. Joseph spots a small box among the big ones and decides it’s perfect for the top of his fort. Just as he’s placing it on the tippy top, it slips from his hands, scattering torn photos of daddy. There’s a newspaper clipping, too, but he can only read a few words – ‘BOAT’ .. ‘LOST’ .. and ‘ROMANO’ – his surname. Joseph doesnβt understand any of it but he instinctively knows mommy would be mad at him. He puts the box back where he found it and goes upstairs.
It is raining but Joseph hears laughter outside. From the window he can see mommy and a man kissing under a tree. The man takes a suitcase from his car and he and mommy run to the house. They throw open the door, dripping wet, still laughing. Joseph thinks it’s all very strange for grown ups to act this way. Carla looks at Joseph and scolds, “Naughty boy! Donβt you know it’s rude to stare?” But Joseph just stands there, looking at them. “Well, silly goose”, purrs mommy, “say hello to my friend. He’s your daddy now.” Laughing and hugging, they ran up the stairs, leaving Joseph alone in the hallway. Slowly he walks to the window and starts to cry. Will it ever stop raining?
Monday after school my friends and I are in our usual hang out .. Carroni Brothers Grocery store. We go for snacks, gum .. typical things 10 year old boys like. I want chips but I forgot my money. My friends donβt have any to loan me so I just walk around the store .. but those chips keep calling me. Next thing I know, I snatch the bag of chips and bolt out the side door. Instead of running as fast as lightning, I toss the bag into a nearby milk crate and squat down next to it. Whew! I made it! Suddenly Mr. Carroni is looming over me. He grabs the bag of chips and snarls at me βGet out of here, you little thief, and never come back!βΒ Β
That night I prayed Carroniβs would burn down. No such luck.
Every day that week I gazed longingly at the store from my school bus.
One thought kept haunting me: Sunday morning .. when Dad and I take our customary walk to Carroniβs for fresh Italian bread, a box of macaroni, cannoli and the newspaper. Maybe I should just run away from home.
Sunday arrives and Dadβs calling for me to βget a move on!β I keep making up excuses why I canβt go but heβs not buying them.
Dead man walking. Iβm dilly-dallying the whole way .. watching caterpillars, kicking pebbles, stopping to tie my shoelaces β¦ again.
βCβmon, kiddo! What is thisβ¦a funeral?β Yeah. Mine! I start crying, blubbering gibberish. Taking hold of my shoulders, Dad looked me square in the eye and said βOk, whatβs going on?β
Sobbing pathetically, I told Dad the whole sordid story. Taking out his handkerchief, he wiped my face, held it to my nose and said βBlow. Listen, kiddo, what you did was wrong but itβs over. Now we go apologize .. and not a word about any of this to your Mom. This stays between us guys.β
We walked into the store, picked out our usual items and walked up to the counter. βMr. Carroni, my son has something to say.β I managed to squeak out βIβm sorry, sir. Iβll never steal anything from you againβ and extended my hand. An eternity seemed to go by but to my shock, Mr. Carroni took my little hand in his meaty one, gave me a solid handshake and nodded in agreement.
βAnything else?β he asked my Dad.
βJust thisβ responded Dad as he tossed a bag of my favorite chips onto the counter.
Out of the blue the call arrived. It was late and I was beyond tired. We were tempted to let it go straight to voice mail, but Gary thought it might be important.Β
“Gary? It’s Alice from the adoption agency. Fabulous news! We have a baby for you and Carol. Can you come by in the morning?”.
Gary jumped up. “My God!Are you sure?” Completely convinced that something terrible had happened, I grabbed the phone. “This is Carol Wheeler. Who’s this, please?”
Not bad news. Just the opposite β¦ elating, top of the world, Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds news!
ALICE FOUND US A BABY!!!
“Yes!! We’ll be there! Thank you so much” I sputtered.
Dumbstruck, we stood there β¦ then pandemonium erupted. Laughing, crying, hugging, kissing, dancing like lunatics. We didnβt think β¦ or even care β¦ to ask “boy, girl, age”? After eight years of trying to get pregnant and failing miserably, some loving stranger was presenting us with the most precious gift imaginable.
Collapsing onto the couch, we talked about the past eight years β¦ the failed attempts β¦ heartbreaking losses β¦ the baby things we collected over the years, now hiding in the attic.
“Gary, do you realize tomorrow we will be a family of three?”
TOMORROW!!
All tiredness forgotten, we raced to the attic for the plastic bins of assorted baby items. There in the corner sat the bassinet, glowing in the darkness – a mystical aura the likes of which I’d never seen before. I believe at that moment I heard angels singing. We reverently carried it down to our room. I leaned into Gary, overcome with elated exhaustion.
And then the phone rang β¦ again. We stared at it, afraid to answer, convinced it was Alice calling to say the baby’s mom had changed her mind, there would be no happy family for us.
I reached for the phone and wearily, warily said “Yes?”.
“Carol? It’s Dr. Shaw. Sorry to call so late but your tests results are back. The reason youβve been so exhausted lately? You’re three months pregnant β¦ with twins β¦ and everything looks great!”
Stunned, crying, all I could manage was a hushed “My God. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Congratulations!”
Gary held me closely and whispered “Shh. Another baby will come along.”
I giggled. “You’re so right. That was Dr. Shaw. I’M PREGNANT β¦ WITH TWINS!! We’re gonna be a family of FIVE!”
If you are reading this, I am no longer with you. Thereβs so much I wanted to tell you when I was alive, so many things I needed to explain but the words failed me. Now I find myself in the early stages of dementia and know this is my last chance to say the words you needed to hear.
You know my life was not an easy one and I learned at an early age to keep my emotions in check. I was always theΒ Β practical one, keeping everyone and everything in line and doing my duty for the family. If you think I did not realize you cared for your father more than me, you are mistaken. Your father was a weak man and a bit of a buffoon. I was the one who was in charge of the household finances; left in your father’s hands, we would have ended up in the poor house. I was the one who pushed him into getting a job with the postal system; honestly, how can anyone expect to make a proper living as a barber? I know you enjoyed the “fun” times with your father but that just wasn’t reality.
You may have felt that I was stern with you and not a simpering, doting mother; perhaps I was harsh but that’s the only way to raise young girls to become strong women. I never had a care or worried about you because you were the defiant and rebellious daughter, unlike your sister who is too much like me. I think I always knew you would become your own woman and nothing like me. Having seen you with your own children, I know Iβm right.Β
Please know I did the best I could. I did love you even though I never could bring myself to say it. I hope you know that.
Your MotherΒ
August 18, 2009
To my mother:
Iβm writing this letter knowing it will never be sent. Youβre gone now so who is there to send it to? But some words need to be said.
It was rough growing up thinking I was unloved by you and there were times I hated you for that. For a long time I thought it was something I had done.Β I’ve learned it was something you couldn’t do β let your guard down and show me love.
My teens years were the turning point for me because I got out of the house and away from you. You know my mother-in-law was a very different type of woman; warm and kind, we formed a bond and I found in her the mother’s love I desperately needed.Β
How I resented you and your aloofness! What a shame … so many years wasted. Now as I look back I feel sorry for you. Deep down I believe you loved me; you were just too afraid to show it. I’m living a good life, Mother. I have a loving family and we’re not embarrassed or afraid to say “I love you”.
You’re wrong about Dad; I didn’t care for him more than you. I loved him and he adored me even though you kept him on a short leash and told him it was unmanly for a father to fawn over his daughter.
Iβm happy to say I’m nothing like you. I hope you can rest in peace, Mother. I will not spend the rest of my life wondering about what might have been.
I have a burning question. How many of us can honestly say weβve seen God … not just seen Him but had a full-blown conversation β a religious experience replete with images and epiphanies? Ten, twenty, fifty, one hundred perhaps unless, of course, while under the influence of mind-expanding, hallucination-inducing psychedelic drugs the number would increase exponentially.
Fifteen pairs of glazed-over eyes watched while he went on to explain how God revealed to him that the followers of Pythagoras were extremely superstitious and mystical. They believed that the human soul was trapped in a continuous cycle of death and reincarnation. Although the body dies, the soul lives on, lying dormant in a constantly spinning dimension of the universe where it patiently waits to be catapulted back to earth, implanted into one form or another of the female species, and is reborn. And this cycle of death and reincarnation can be experienced by an individual an infinite number of times.
Minds officially blown, we all agreed this new-found knowledge was indeed βheavyβ and required more contemplation while listening … again … to Dark Side Of The Moon. But I, who was always somewhat preoccupied and frightened by the thought of dying and ceasing to exist for all eternity, wanted to learn more about this amazing concept. I found it calming, hopeful and profound. So my future husband and I discussed this astounding, all-encompassing theory which I took fully to heart. Suddenly I was filled with a warm peace, a confirmation that the soul lives on, returning after mortal death. How ineffably comforting.
Soon I found myself drifting off to sleep in Bill’s arms as Pink Floyd played softly in the background:
βI am not frightened of dying. Any time will do, I donβt mind.β
It was the night of the office Christmas party and I was dreading it. I knew Kevin was going to be there. After our breakup, I couldnβt stand being around him. I thought he was a great guy; I was wrong. He was only interested in sex. Kevin never missed a party, a chance to get drunk and hit on me. I wasnβt there long before he spotted me. I turned and headed for the restroom. When I came out, Kevin was waitingβ¦..drunk, leaning against the wall, drink in hand. He stumbled towards me slurring βhey, babyβ, pushing the drink in my face. I walked past him but he grabbed my arm and dragged me into the supply room. He spun me around, smashing his lips against mine, tearing at the buttons on my blouse and shoving his hand up my skirt. Somehow I managed to push him off me. Kevin was so drunk, he stumbled and fell backwards. I ran out into the street, gasping as the cold rain washed my body of Kevinβs stink. I couldnβt go to my apartment. Hailing a cab, I fled to the safety of my parents houseβ¦..safe from Kevin.
KEVINβS STORY
It was the night of the office Christmas party and I was dreading it. I knew Rita was going to be there. We had a βthingβ once which ended badlyβ¦.for her. These partiesβ¦..I only go to them because itβs expected but they really arenβt my thing. I pop in, make the rounds and take off. I was set to leave when Rita snuck up behind me at the coat closet. Wrapping her arms around my waist, she tongued my ear whispering incoherently. When I turned around to free myself, she pulled me into the closet, fumbling with my belt buckle. Rita was grinding against me, her dress riding up to her waist. I was trapped by a drunken sex machine reeking of cheap perfume and bourbon. This is not how I like being with a woman and I was disgusted. I just wanted to get the hell out of there. Suddenly Rita went limp in my arms and crumbled onto a pile of coats. I grabbed my jacket and made a beeline for the door. The air was coldΒ Β but I knew it would clear the smell of Rita from my clothes and out of my head.Β
Head cocked to the right, Jake waited impatiently as I read the article he had slipped in front of me. Having been born with microtia, Jakeβs right ear was very small and malformed with significantly decreased hearingβ¦..just like his idol Paul Stanley from KISSβ¦.so tilting his head to one side for better hearing was second nature.
βMom, can we goβ¦.PLEASE?β he pleaded. βThe article says 50 dogs and cats will be euthanized next week unless theyβre adopted. Please, Mom! Iβve wanted a dog forever! If I can get a dog for Christmas, I’ll never ask you for another thing for the rest of my life!!β
I slid my glasses down my nose and raised my eyebrows questioningly. “That’s a really long time, Jake! Iβll tell you what. Todayβs Wednesday. If you finish that book report and clean your room by Saturday, then we have a deal.β
βReally?? I swear I will, Mom!β Jake threw his arms around my neck. βI canβt wait until Saturday!β I couldnβt help laughing at his unbridled excitement.
Saturday finally arrived and Jake was true to his word. His report was done and his room was clean. He even found an old frame in the basement for his favorite KISS poster.
So I was true to MY word, too. We got to the shelter early and looked around, stopping at all the cages. After a while, I lost sight of Jake. I called out to him and got an “Over here, Mom!” in response. I finally spotted him in the corner, bending down and staring into a cage. There werenβt any other people hanging around that section and I wondered what type of dog caught Jakeβs eye. I was surprised to see it wasnβt a dog but two tiny grey kittens.
βHey, buddy, whatβs up? I thought you wanted to get a dog. Did you change your mind?β
Jake looked up at me, his big brown eyes brimming with tears. βMom,β he whispered. βCome look. These are special cats!β Bending down to take a look, I thought βwhat could be so special about a cat?β My question was answered when I looked in the cage; I gasped slightly at what I saw.
βAh, I see an introduction is necessaryβ said one of the shelter volunteers. βThese are our Scottish Folds. No one wants these little guys because of their folded ears. Everyone thinks thereβs something wrong with them but thatβs just the way God made them.β
βMom, theyβre just like me! I love them. Can we take them home, please?β
βWe sure can, buddyβ I managed to choke out. βWhat are you going to name them?β
βThatβs easy.β Jake smiled up at me. βPaul and Stanley.β
The incessant knocking on our apartment door at midnight did not surprise us. Friends were constantly coming and going at our place, commonly referred to as βParty Centralββ¦β¦or βPCβ to our closest friends.
βMichael!β my husband greeted our friend. βCβmon in, man. Whatβs with the suitcase?β
βI got a problem, manβ, Michael uncharacteristically replied as they walked straight into our bedroom and locked the door.
Flashback two years when we first met Michael. We moved into his apartment building and became instant friends. He was the coolest guy we knewβ¦..good-looking, brilliant, confident, irresistible and sexy as hell. He was infectious and we soon started living life in the express lane of sex, drugs and rock and roll. He was fun, wild and fearless. We went to all the best concerts and got into the hottest clubs. We partied every night, went to work the next day and did it all over again.
Oh yeah, Michael was also a narc for the NYPDβ¦β¦a fact that saved us more times than I care to remember β plenty of close calls but all he had to do was show his badge, flash that smile, talk the talk and we were golden.
Yet he always managed to toe the line at work, except for that night when temptation ruled, the night he showed up at our door. Inside our locked bedroom, Michael opened the suitcase to reveal hundreds of plastic bags filled with quaaludes.
My husband looked incredulously at Michael.
βIt was in the evidence room, undocumentedβ, Michael explained. βI just picked it up and walked the fuck out. Can I stash it here for a couple of days until I make a plan?β
βSure, man. Do what you gotta do.β
They hugged and Michael said βIβll be in touch soon.β
Michael went back to work and nobodyβ¦.not one person in the precinct noticed the suitcase was missing. After a few days, he returned to our place with a backpack. Taking out the suitcase, he dumped half the ludes into the backpack and gave the rest to my husband. βHere you go, brotherβ¦β¦β¦.courtesy of the NYPD!β
My husband put his arm around Michaelβs neck as they walked to the door. He turned, flashed me that amazing grin and blew me a kiss. βSee ya βround the campus, guys.β
And he disappeared into the night, never to be seen again.
Monastic Gregorian chant serenely filled the empty church. Candles flickered, casting long shadows across the walls. A sliver of the moon was barely perceptible through the rose-colored window above the crucifix. It was very late but the church was never locked as troubled souls sought comfort and refuge regardless of the hour.
A solitary man sat huddled in the corner of a pew, thinking, praying, contemplating his next move. Occasionally his eyes would glance at the little round light above the confessional door indicating that a priest was available to listen, to advise, to absolve.
Rubbing his chafed neck, the man stared at his Roman collar now resting on the pew next to him. How many years had it been since his ordination? How many baptisms had he performed, weddings had he celebrated, funerals had he officiated? More than he could count.
He was a good priest; some might even say excellent. Not perfect by any stretch, but the rights certainly outweighed the wrongs. All except THIS wrong.
He was no thief, no murderer. No one knew his secret so who was he hurting? He asked himself that question endless times, always able to justify his actions. Even Jesus said that the sins of the flesh were the easiest to forgive.
It was so natural, so easy. He was happiest when he was with her and yet it was killing him. This wrong which felt so right was eating him alive.
They were friends and saw each other every day at Holy Rosary Hospital. She was not only an outstanding nurse; she possessed an amazing ability to calm the fears of the dying and console the grief-stricken. They told themselves they were drawn together by their mutual empathy for the suffering, which was true at first. Now the unthinkable had happened. They were lovers, adulterersβ¦..for he was married to the church and she was married to his best friend.
He knew the two choices before himβ¦..confess his sins, beg forgiveness and give her up or go on living a lie and continue their affair. Whatever his decision, the toll would be unbearable.
Making the sign of the cross, he rose and slowly walked toward the confessional. Steeling himself, he reached out for the handle of the confessional booth. At that exact moment, the light switched off.
Head hanging, tears falling, he turned and disappeared into the night.
Hard to imagine life without her. When the hell did everything start to unravel?
Now he sat alone in the shell of their apartment, baseball game on the tv playing for no one, nursing his second Dewars. Once upon a time this place was alive with people enjoying one of their famous dinner parties. When he closed his eyes he could hear their friends discussing politics, movies, the crazy tenants on the 2nd floor … and the sound of her spirited laugh when someone told a dirty joke.
They were the perfect couple, the envy of all their friends. Theirs was an easy, comfortable marriage β viewing a gallery in SoHo, cycling through Central Park, steamy showers after Saturday morning love-making. They were in sync in their choices of restaurants, paint colors and the biggest decision of all … neither one wanted kids.
He sat there, head in hands while a thousand thoughts went through his mind. When did he begin having second thoughts? Was it the weekend in Maine spent visiting his sister after the birth of her first baby? Was it watching the kids in the playground across the street? All he could remember was the night he whispered in her ear that he wanted to have a baby.
She was blindsided. What? No! He was just named partner at Goldman Sachs. She was food editor for Connoisseur magazine. Life is perfect. They had an agreement, dammit! Would she just consider thinking about it? No! How could he spring this on her now?Β
Weeks, months went by. She remained adamant, distant. Then one day he came home after work and she was gone.
Here he sat, alone with his Dewars, ballgame long over, fingering his wedding band, staring at divorce papers.
It couldnβt have happened to a more perfect couple.
The Elephant's Trunk 