Bittersweet Love

by Davids, Jesse

  Peter woke up the next day not remembering how he got in his house on the cold floor naked with his knees bruised, causing little internal bleeding. He tried to get up quickly to get to the bathroom to take one of his pills but couldn’t, he started crawling on his side all the way there and saw a note on the window cabinet in the bathroom.

  -I had fun, xoxo W.-

  Peter tried with all his might to stand on one leg at least, and was able to manage. He opened the cabinet and popped one of his blue pills, which repairs the brain but not his memory.

  “Can you please come I need help, I’m internally bleeding!” Peter’s voice seemed desperate yet weak as he limped to the kitchen to use his home telephone and called 911, the operator quickly dispatched an ambulance to his location.

  10 minutes passed and the ambulance finally arrived at his house, the two medics rushed in and placed Peter on a gurney, rushing him back to the ambulance as fast as they could; Peter’s knees looked bigger than usual maybe even twice its size, swollen from last night’s activity.

  At the hospital Peter got treated and got an expected recovery time of 1 week, as the doctor left the room to give him time to rest Melissa walked in. “I’m so sorry, I shouldn't have put so much pressure on your knees, it’s just, you were doing such a good job down there.” Melissa walked up to him slowly while talking in a cold bitchy tone like she couldn’t even care less.

  “What do you mean down there? What did I do this time?” Peter stared at her confused as he has no memory of what happened the night before. “Well, nothing really but you did eat me like a savage; anyway I hope you recover well, you don’t have to worry about me I found someone to replace you in the meantime so take as much time as you want.” Melissa gave him a pat on the shoulder and walked out the room, no feelings, no nothing.

  Fucking bitch. He face palmed himself. Why am I even working for her, I mean the money is good to keep her satisfied, and it does pay the bills; that’s it, I truly am a man whore.

  The sudden realization didn't shock him one bit, all he could think about was his daughter and if she would be okay. Peter called one of the nurses to put him on a wheel chair, so that he can go sit outside and smoke a cigarette as his lungs were craving for one pretty badly.

  Hopefully this makes my day better.

  Peter thought to himself while he was being pushed away by a male nurse to the outside patio; he got parked right next to a stage 3 cancer patient.

  Peter looked over to him. “Hi.” He made a shaking hand gesture with a smile on his face, as he knew people with cancer don't live very long. “Hey, let me guess you're here to smoke aren't you.” Ron looked over to Peter and started laughing as Peter had the guiltiest face on the planet. “Can I have one?” Ron asked with a sincere tone in his voice.

  “Yeah buddy sure; we don't have a long life anyway right.” Peter handed him the cigarette while they both moved where they couldn't be spotted easily, both on wheel chairs, racing indirectly.

  “So why are you here?” Ron asked him as he was lighting his cigarette. “I work for a crazy bitch; I lost my family because of the same crazy bitch. Partly my fault but I never intended to hurt anyone.” Peter sighed heavily. Regretting everything he accomplished in his life, he sat there thinking; realization and guilt hit him like a piece of glass falling from a 10 story high building, shattering his dignity.

  “Well, what will you do about it? Man up and accept the mistakes you’ve made or will you be a pussy crying about it. You made those decisions for a reason; don't ever lose sight of that.” Ron spoke like he understood life fully, knowing every hack and turn there is to it. “It’s hard to believe someone like you has cancer.” Peter chuckled as he acknowledged what Ron was saying. “I don't have cancer, as long as I believe that, no one can tell me otherwise.” Ron got up looking healthier than a horse. “Want some advice? Truly think before you speak, your mouth can do wonders, believe me. And thank you for the cigarette.” Ron walked away for it was time for him to head into surgery.

  As soon as Ron left Peter started looking around, frantically trying to find the hospital’s sign for he thought they put him in a mental hospital with crazy people. He finally saw it on an ambulance minutes later.

  Oh thank god.

  Feeling relieved Peter pushed himself back to his room; he laid down carefully and fell asleep peacefully, but with sirens going off in his head.

  Chapter 6

  Part I

  Daniel tugs on Athena’s shirt. “Baby.” He tries silently to wake her, but he couldn't resist watching her sleep, he got closer to her ear and whispered silently. “I’m going to put the light on.” Athena opened her eyes quicker than the speed of light. “Baby don’t please I beg you.” She got up and sat while rubbing her eyes. “What time is it? And where have you been whole day? You weren't answering my calls.” She asked confusingly while crossing her arms. “Well, its 12, and I was out with Will trying to plan something.” Daniel leaned over to her, putting his arm around her neck making her lay in his arm. Daniel kissed her forehead and lips. “Happy birthday my love, guess who's 22 today.”

  Athena melted within her existence, her cheeks turning bright pink.

  “Thank you baby, but how did you know? Did I tell you?” Athena confused as she never told him her birth date.

  “I studied you.” Daniel with a deep husky tone sending shivers down Athena’s spine.

  Please don't get suspicious.

  Daniel thought as he tried to cover up his tracks, it made him feel bad that he’s lying to her, as he truly did love her. He didn't want to start his first relationship, real or fake, by being a lie.

  “I have the whole day planned out for us; thank god it’s a public holiday.” Daniel chuckled as he slowly began to cuddle up next to her. “Oh yeah? Tell me Mr. Genius.” Athena shyly slipped into his arms while he began to play with her hair. “Well, like I said I'm full of surprises, so you'll have to wait and see darling.” Daniel closed his eyes, thinking about how perfect he wanted this day to go.

  Athena rested her head emotionally attached to this weird thing called love, blinded by it in every way possible.

  “Now let’s sleep birthday girl.” Daniel covered her tightly in the blanket as if it was his own child,

  Earlier that day.

  “Daniel!” Will yelled from the top of his lungs, he saw something that caught his eye and thought Daniel should really see it. “What-what?” Daniel rushed out of the bathroom with a towel covering half of his body while his speech was blurry because of the toothbrush in his mouth. “Yo, what are you doing? There’s no shower in there man.” Will looked at him quizzically wondering what he could be doing. “Well,” Daniel stood there for 2 minutes trying to think of a lie, the truth is he loved to take a shit naked. “I was washing my balls over the sink, happy? Now what is it?” Daniel spoke while lifting one leg, resting it on Will’s bed almost making his genitals visible.

  Will flipped to the back of the bed and hid his face behind the laptop screen.

  “Well, I was going through the USB Mr. P gave us and I was looking at Athena’s profile and guess what? You dumb ass.” Will still hid his face in fear of seeing his brother’s ‘thing’.

  “Yeah I looked at it, so what?” Daniel confused as why Will is going insane about nothing, he walked back into the bathroom, and before he could close the door Will said something that made his whole world drop into suspense.

  “It's her birthday tomorrow.” Will said.

  Daniel froze in his tracks, running over to Will, he grabbed the laptop and started rubbing is head panicking.

  What, how could I have missed that! FUCK SHIT PUSSY FUCK.

  Daniel got up, gave Will the laptop back and silently went back into the bathroom without saying a word, seconds later explosion like thunder came out of the tiny space between the door and the floor. “Don’t you dare say shit! I’m nervous!” Daniel yelled as Will laughed so hard he tried his best to keep it as silent as possible, but failed. />
  Daniel came later out of the bathroom fully dressed and ready to go out. “Did you search up the stuff I asked?” Daniel spoke while spraying perfume all over him, choking in the middle of it. “Yeah I did, we have to go to three places, the supermarket, a jewelry shop, and Floyd Bennett Field.” Will replied sarcastically making him look like a genius. Will got up and put his pants on with some sneakers.

  I want some juice.

  Will thought to himself while running to the fridge and poured some orange juice

  “Al right let’s go.” Daniel grabbed the keys and opened the door for Will to pass and closed it behind him, moving fast trying to blend in so that no one sees them, trying to avoid Athena for the day was their mission to plan the best birthday a girl could ever ask for, simple, yet thoughtful.

  15 minutes passed while driving to a supermarket through thick traffic, they stopped at Wal-Mart and went inside looking for a blanket, 2 wine glasses, a basket, cheese, 2 roast beef sandwiches, 2 bottles of red wine, 3 small pillows with 2 king size pillows, 5 double AA batteries, 1 ladder, 1 bouquet of all sorts flowers, and little Christmas lights.

  They got to the cashier, and every time the cashier checked something he made weird eye contact with Daniel and Will thinking they are the ones going on a picnic later today. “It's not for us um, how much is all this?”

  Daniel began to stutter from the way the cashier kept looking at them, causing suspense in every way possible.

  “It’s $62.50 please.” The cashier with no self-intentions kept staring at them as if they were from another planet. Will took out his wallet from his back pocket and gave the cashier his credit card. He swiped it and gave Will the card and receipt back with his number on it along with a little heart. “Thank you, come again.” He stated in a low sexual tone waving at Will as they left the store. They both got in the car and looked at each other promising never to go back there again, without having to say a word.

  “Al right bro, where to next?” Daniel asked while throwing everything in the back seats. “Well, the closest thing is the jewelry shop.” Will replied while trying to find its GPS location from the cars dashboard screen.

  I hope they have cool stuff.

  Daniel thought, starting the car and didn't waste a minute, time was everything to him today, and he couldn't afford to mess it up. After all this is his job.

  Will began to point at the store as they approached it. Daniel quickly found a parking space and paid the meter, leaving Will in the car in case a cop shows up to give them a ticket for reason.

  Daniel opened the door and was greeted by an elderly man with white gloves on his hands making him look very professional. “Hello Sir, how may I help you today?” The old man showed Daniel the way in. “I’m looking for a birthday gift for my girlfriend.” He replied politely. The old man put his thinking face on and got the perfect idea in mind, he rushed over the counter to get out a heart shaped pendant made of 24 karat gold, with infinity engravings on it.

  Wow, that’s really beautiful.

  “How much is it?” Daniel stared at him for a few seconds as he tried to remember. The old man snapped out of it and finally remembered. “$2,187” Daniel with no hesitation once again took out his credit card and paid for it. “Thank you Sir.” The old man put the box in a shopping bag and walked him out, closing the security gate behind him.

  Daniel rushed over to the car and got in quickly. “Show me! It’s about time!” Will screamed like a girl, laughing sarcastically and snatched it from Daniels hand. Will opened it and was amazed at how good of a gift Daniel picked. “Wow, I didn't think you had it in you, bravo bro, fucking bravo; wait how much was this?” Will felt the atmosphere turn serious, making the air denser.

  Daniel looked over and smiled at him. “She’s priceless; you can’t put a price on her.”

  “Wow! You are blowing me away with these quotes you're throwing at me man; I’m just waiting for my girl to show up.” Will sighed sadly. “What happened to Jenny?” Daniel raised his eyebrow with interest. “She’s crazy man, can’t handle that, I just got out of prison. Black man still has to adapt bro.” Will burst out laughing making Daniel laugh even harder. “But wait, wait. What about movies bro? And don't worry, once you meet a girl and her laugh gives you butterflies, then you know she's the one man.” Daniel cracked up as he made fun of Will’s favorite line. Will sat there in silence with a puffed up face. “Not funny man.” “Don’t worry she’ll come your way.” Daniel patted him on the shoulder reassuring him as they stopped at their next destination.

  “Well, it’s just an open field, but I see a tree, we can improvise.” Daniel went off the main road and onto a gravel stone road, parking next to the tree.

  30 minutes went by and they both fell short, out of breath as they sat in the car.

  Daniel turned the air conditioning on and relaxed for a few seconds, minutes later Athena called demanding answers to where he is as she hasn't seen him all day and couldn't find him at his dorm.

  Will slowly got into the driver’s seat trying not to make a sound; Daniel coughed as Will turned the car on perfectly in sync. Daniel tried his best to come up with lies so that he doesn't spoil anything for her birthday tomorrow.

  Athena ended the call as she got no significant information she wanted, she laid in bed all day thinking of what to do next, but she couldn't think without him, breathing without him became harder and harder the more she was away from him, she needed him just as much as he needed her; inseparable.

  The night fell short, Athena curling up in bed, cold, waiting for him to come see her. She fell asleep soon after and got woken up by Daniel, threatening her that he’ll turn the lights on if she doesn't wake up.

  Chapter 6

  Part II

  “Are you ready? They say it's going to be a clear night tonight.” Daniel stood at the door waiting for Athena to finish up; he wore jeans, a polo shirt and a suit jacket with some dress shoes. “Yeah I'm coming.” Athena bounced out of the room trying to balance on one leg while the other flies through the air as she tried to put on her shoe. “Baby can you help me?” Athena asked him while giving him the puppy dog face, Daniel with no hesitation snapped out of his Trans.

  Athena wore a bright white dress, short, just a little above the knees, with white strapped flats. Daniel got on his knees and tied her shoe from the back, fascinated, he stared at her clean shaved legs, and he looked up and saw white laced underwear. Daniel’s heart could be seen a mile away beating through his chest. He got up quickly with half a boner showing by the outlines of his pants.

  “Ooh what is this?” Athena shyly asked as she rubbed her hands against his erection while smiling at him, knowing in her mind she's torturing him. “Do you like that?” Athena whispered softly in his ear, looking at him with sparkly seductive eyes, it sent shivers through Daniels body. Athena went and rushed over to the door as Daniel gave her a smack on the ass.

  Wow.

  That’s all he could think about, her existence made him doubt his. The perfection he saw inside of her blew his mind, the perfection outside was pure lust. They both waved Jenny off as they could see her in the other room combing her hair. “Have fun guys! And use protection!” Jenny yelled from her end of the room.

  Daniel closed the door and ran up to her, grabbing her hand, intertwining their fingers together as they smiled at each other.

  “So its 9 pm; where are you taking us?” Athena asked while getting in the passenger’s seat. “You’ll see, don’t worry okay.” Daniel stretched his arm to the back of her seat and took out the flowers from the bag and handed it to her. “Baby! They are beautiful, Thank you so much.” Athena jumped over to him and gave him a long kiss, shyly smiling behind the flowers, smelling them all individually.

  Oh my god, thank god she likes them.

  “I was hoping you would like them, I couldn't find anything else.” Daniel leaned over and gave her a kiss on her forehead and started the car. “I really like them baby I swear.” Athena smi
led; radiant in every way possible.

  Daniel held the side of her face, rubbing her cheek softly, moving to the back of her neck.

  How the fuck am I going to disappear.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful baby.” Daniel stared deep into her eyes, making sure that she knows he means every word he speaks of. He leaned over again and kissed her passionately, every stroke made her skip a few heart beats.

  A connection like this can never be forgotten, nor neglected.