Dear Neighbor

by River Laurent

  ‘Yup, and he let her do her nose, because she was so determined to do it she wouldn’t come out of her room for weeks. He made her promise that if he did let her do her nose she would wait until she was eighteen before she thought about any other reconstructive surgeries. Once she gave her word he took her to the best doctor in London.’

  ‘And now her eighteenth birthday is coming up and she’s making enquiries about cat’s eyes.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘Can I ask you something about Britney?’

  ‘Shoot.’

  ‘Did something bad ever happen to her when she was young?’

  He stares at me hard. ‘No. Why?’

  ‘You know she paints right?’

  ‘Yeah, but she won’t show anyone.’

  ‘Well, she showed me.’

  ‘What?’ He looks at me astonished.

  I nod. ‘She did, and here’s the weird thing. She draws unfinished people and people with holes in them or strings coming out of their belly buttons, and she says that she always feels as though some important part of her is missing or lost. Can you think why she would feel that way?’

  Cash stares at me.

  ‘What?’ I ask.

  ‘Shit,’ he breathes.

  ‘What is it?’ I ask again.

  ‘It can’t be. It’s too incredible,’ he says almost to himself.

  ‘Tell me what it is,’ I demand impatiently.

  ‘My mum died shortly after she gave birth to Britney and it was a very traumatic time for all of us, so my father made the decision not to tell Britney that she had a twin who died that day.’

  I gasp in shock, my hands rushing to cover my mouth. ‘Oh, my god. I know that twins are supposed to have an invisible bond, but is it really possible that at some level she is missing her twin?’

  He shrugs. ‘It sounds totally out there, but there really is no other explanation for the paintings you describe. Britney has had the best of everything my father could provide.’

  ‘Will you tell her?’ I whisper.

  ‘I’ll tell my dad. He’ll know what to do.’

  Suddenly tears fill my eyes when I think of Britney. How misunderstood she was. ‘Poor Britney,’ I whisper.

  ‘Hey, why are you crying?’ he asks, shocked.

  ‘Damn onions,’ I sniff.

  ‘What onions?’ he asks, as he scrambles over to my side of the bed, making some of the food tip onto the duvet.

  ‘You’re destroying the bed,’ I mumble, embarrassed that I cried in front of him.

  He pushes me onto my back. ‘Your tough guy attitude is just an act, isn’t it? Inside you’re as soft as a marshmallow.’

  ‘No, I’m not,’ I deny.

  ‘Don’t,’ he says softly. ‘You’re beautiful when you cry for someone else.’

  Tori

  After I put the food away we go for a walk in the lovely grounds with their flowering bushes and tall majestic trees. There are rabbits everywhere and I put the salad and cut carrots that I found in the picnic basket on the ground, and watch delighted as the tame creatures come up to us and eat them right in front of us. They are so cute that I make a video of them on my phone to show my niece.

  When every last bit of food is gone and nose twitchers have scampered away, I suddenly spot a strawberry plant with a single, bright red strawberry nestled in the bushes.

  ‘Look at that,’ I cry. ‘It looks like a jewel.’

  ‘I’m going to get it for you,’ Cash says.

  ‘No, just leave it. You don’t know what’s hiding in the bushes,’ I warn.

  ‘I’m bigger than whatever’s hiding in there,’ he says, as he walks towards the plant. He stands in the middle of the bushes next to the strawberry plant and takes a bow.

  ‘And now to win the coveted prize for my lady,’ he says, and bending down plucks the strawberry with great flourish.

  I shake my head and laugh. He brings it back to me and places it on my lips.

  ‘Your eyes are such an unusual green,’ I say, looking into the swirling green depths.

  He shrugs carelessly. ‘When I was a baby they were like yours, bright blue. Then one day when I was about five they became green.’

  Looking into those green depths, I open my mouth and take a bite.

  ‘Oh yeah, babyyyyy,’ he says in a deep sexy voice, as my tongue comes out to lick at the juice squirting down my lips.

  Then his face changes, he blinks.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Oh fuck,’ he curses, and sitting on the grass starts ripping his shoes off and tossing them away. Then he stands up and starts unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans before yanking them urgently down his legs. He kicks the pants off and I see them.

  Ants. Angry red ants. All over his legs.

  Cursing, he begins slapping at them and frantically brushing them off his legs and I feel laughter bubbling up inside me. I can’t help it. I laugh so much I have to drop to the ground and hold my stomach. He collapses beside me.

  ‘I risk life and limb to get you a strawberry and you laugh at me,’ he says with mock petulance.

  ‘Excuse me, Mr. Act First Think Later, but I did warn you. Remember? I’m bigger than whatever’s hiding in the bushes? Though you were right about that bit.’

  ‘Funny girl. You can at least kiss me better,’ he says.

  ‘Let’s go back and get some ice on it,’ I suggest.

  He laughs. ‘It doesn’t hurt that much. I was just trying it on.’

  I punch his shoulder.

  ‘Awww,’ he screams.

  I shake my head. ‘You’re such a drama queen.’

  ‘And you’re sour as balls.’

  I look at him. ‘I’m sorry you got bitten by ants,’ I say, and spoil it by giggling.

  He raises his eyebrows. ‘Doesn’t look like it.’

  ‘I tell you what. Let’s get your mind off your … er … injuries.’

  ‘I know exactly what’ll get my mind off the damn bites,’ he cuts in.

  ‘No, not that,’ I say quickly. ‘I’ll ask you a question and you answer me, but really fast without thinking about it.’

  ‘How is that going to help?’

  ‘It’ll be fun. Then you can turn around and ask me whatever you like, OK?’

  He rubs his hands. ‘Cool.’

  ‘Right. First question. Name your favorite actor.’

  ‘Matthew McCononaughey.’

  ‘Favorite actress?

  ‘Angelina Jolie.’

  I nod. ‘Name the actress that you fancy the most.’

  ‘She’s like god knows how old now, but Cameron Diaz.’

  ‘For real?’

  ‘Oh yeah, for real. And can I have one more?’

  I grin. ‘Go on.’

  He grins. ‘Jennifer Lawrence. Now she …’

  ‘A celebrity you wouldn’t want to do?’ I interrupt quickly.

  ‘Kim Kardashian.’

  I look at him curiously. ‘Why?’

  ‘Have you seen her sex tape? Man that’s one lazy woman.’

  I laugh. ‘Seriously?’

  ‘Seriously, someone showed it to me.’

  ‘Right, favorite color?’

  ‘Lucky blue.’

  ‘Favorite food?’

  ‘Macaroni and cheese.’

  ‘Favorite musical artist?’

  ‘Aww, babe. That’s like asking me to choose between my ribs. They’re all necessary.’

  I smile. ‘Give me a few.’

  ‘Led Zeppelin, Prince, Chuck Berry, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Tupac, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Oasis, Coldplay, Green Day, The Killers, Maroon Five. The list goes on.’

  ‘Are you secretly gay?’

  His eyes widen. ‘Come here, you little …’

  I giggle. ‘Favorite word?’

  ‘Sex.’

  I shake my head. ‘Do you have to be so predictable?’

  He opens his palms out. ‘What’d you want from me? I’m a man.’

  ‘Biggest regret in life?
’

  ‘Pass.’

  ‘Biggest mistake in life?’

  ‘Pass.’

  We stare in each other’s eyes and I realize he has a huge regret that he doesn’t want to talk about.

  ‘Favorite TV show?’ I ask.

  ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Is it my turn yet?’

  I grin at him. ‘Yes, it’s your turn.’

  ‘Your smile is killing me.’

  I feel myself blush at the intensity in his eyes. ‘That’s not a question. You’re supposed to be asking questions.’

  ‘Can I have your number?’

  ‘No.’

  He laughs. ‘Favorite movie?’

  ‘How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days.’

  He nods sagely. ‘Ah … Now it all makes sense.’

  ‘You’re supposed to fire the questions really quickly,’ I remind.

  ‘Favorite animal?’

  ‘Hummingbird.’

  His eyebrows rise. ‘Favorite color?’

  ‘Green.’

  ‘Favorite person?’

  ‘My mom.’

  ‘Favorite singer?’

  ‘You.’

  He freezes. ‘I thought you didn’t like my songs,’ he says slowly.

  ‘I love your voice, I just don’t dig your music,’ I reply quietly.

  He stares at me. ‘I’m done playing. Let’s go back to our room.’

  My heart flutters as he takes my hand. Then we are running back to our room. We arrive breathless, laughing.

  I love this man. God, I love him so much.

  I was so tired after we had sex I nodded off. One moment I’m lying in Cash’s arms and the next I’m gone. When I wake up again it is dark and I am alone in the bed. I remember we went into the vast bathroom and bathed in the stunning glass roll top bath. Our bodies slipped and slid over each other.

  How I had giggled.

  I wrap myself up in the bedsheet and go outside. I find Cash on the terrace. He is sitting on the floor wearing his jeans. The picnic basket is open and there is food all around him.

  He turns his head to look at me, his lips greasy, a chicken drumstick grasped between his fingers.

  ‘You sick freak! Eating chicken after dark like a caveman,’ I say softly.

  ‘Want to see what else I do after dark like a caveman?’ he asks.

  I smile. ‘What time is it?’

  ‘Nearly nine. Are you hungry? There’s still loads of food here, or they have an award winning restaurant downstairs. We could eat something.’

  ‘Nah, I really should get back.’

  ‘You sure you don’t want to stay the night?’ He sounds disappointed.

  ‘Yeah.’

  He stands and comes towards me. ‘Why not?’

  ‘I don’t think my aunt would like it. It’s setting a bad example for my niece. Kids nowadays are so sharp. They pick everything up. Besides, it’s a big thing for Tabitha and me to make pancakes for breakfast on Sunday morning. It’s like a tradition … ’ I trail off because he is watching me, his perfect teeth gleaming in the dark.

  ‘I know why my father chose you now,’ he says, smiling big.

  Cash

  ‘Are you two coming in?’ Tori’s aunt asks after yanking open the door so suddenly that Tori almost falls into the house.

  Automatically I reach out and grab Tori’s arm while she finds her footing again.

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry, dear. Were you leaning against the door?’ her clueless aunt asks.

  I try to keep a straight face as Tori mumbles something indistinct and her aunt turns towards me. ‘Would you like to come in for a drink?’

  ‘Actually, I’ve got to hit the road.’

  ‘It’ll only take a minute.’

  I look at Tori and she shrugs with an expression that says, your funeral.

  I turn on the charm. ‘All right, but I do have to leave soon.’

  I step through the hallway, and what do you know, there are about ten people in the living room. All of them are staring at me and smiling. Aww fuck. I glance at Tori and she grins. For the next ten minutes I sign autographs. Even before the ink on the last one is dry, I stand, say my goodbyes, and turn towards Tori.

  ‘Maybe Tori can see me out.’

  ‘Of course,’ she says, her voice sweeter than sugar.

  We go out of the front door and I turn to her.

  ‘Thanks for the warning,’ I tell her.

  ‘I’m sure you’d do the same for me,’ she says.

  ‘Damn right,’ I say and grab her by the forearms.

  ‘Don’t you dare,’ she warns.

  I bend my head and kiss her on the lips. I make it long and passionate. Behind the windows there are many open mouths. Many questions that need answers. Poor Tori.

  ‘You’re going straight to hell, you know?’ she spits.

  ‘Been headed that way for some time now,’ I say, tipping my head at her. ‘Sleep well, Wildcat,’ I say with a wink.

  She slams the door before I get to my car. It just makes me smile wider. I have a quick glance around the area. No paparazzi hiding in the bushes or among the dustbins. All is well today.

  From the car I call my dad and tell him I’ve got to talk to him. He asks me to come over, so, I drive to his house. After Britney goes to bed we go to his study to share a Cognac. Then I tell him what Tori had told me about Britney’s art. To my astonishment my father breaks down in tears. I never realized that even after all these years my mother’s death still hurts him so much.

  ‘I can talk to Brit about it,’ I offer.

  ‘No. No. That’s my job, son. That’s my job,’ he says sadly.

  By the time I leave it is nearly one in the morning. On my way to the car Gavin calls. There is a party. Do I want to go?

  I want to fuck, Tori. ‘Nah, man. I’m bushed. Have fun.’

  ‘What, you kidding me? Francine is here,’ he says.

  I think about Francine. Long dark hair, fantastic tits, sucks cock like a top notch pro and likes it up the ass.

  ‘Enjoy her,’ I say and end the call.

  My cock is not hard for Francine. It’s straining in my jeans for Tori. She’s the only fuck I want. The only party I want to go to. For a second I stop in wonder. I don’t sound like myself at all. Not one little bit.

  I get into my car and roar through the streets of London. In my mind Tori is on her knees. She opens her goddamn beautiful mouth and asks, ‘Do you mind if I give you a blowjob? I’m dying for a taste of your cock.’ I see her eyes open wide and staring up at mine. Her mouth and tongue hungry for me. I knock her hand off my dick and take control. Thrusting into her wicked sexy mouth.

  Making her take it all in. Fucking her, and fucking her, and fucking her until I explode inside her. Then I hold her face to my cock and let her drain me. Every last wild, dumb drop of cum.

  ‘Now make me yours,’ she says and opens her legs to show me her sweet pink pussy. Fucking gorgeous.

  Fuck, it’s like I lick my lips and taste her pussy.

  I get to my apartment, close the door, and go straight to my sound-proofed room. I close the door and start playing my music. The rest of the world dissolves. It is like I have taken a really good hit. I’m good and chilled. I stop thinking of the sweet, wild taste of Tori Diamond.

  I plug in my guitar. It’s been a long time since I played it. In here the music I make is real. It won’t be the crap I’m forced to sing for the rest of the world. In here I won’t let the music down.

  Tori

  By the time I return to the Hunter’s residence on Sunday evening, Britney has already been told about her twin brother. She comes to my room and I see straight away that there is something different about her. A new inner-confidence.

  Now she knows that there is nothing wrong with her. She truly did suffer a loss, and even though she was not told about it, her body knew and suffered. All these years she was mourning for her twin and did not know. Now that she understands it perhaps she can start to heal. For a second she stands there l
ooking at me, then she rushes into the room and throws her thin arms around my neck. I hug her back tightly. It’s a funny ole life. I never dreamed I would come to love Britney like this, and yet I have. I realize now that even if I leave England tonight, never to come back, at least I have done some good to her.

  ‘Thank you,’ she says simply and pulls away from me.

  I shake my head. ‘I did nothing.’

  ‘Dad’s right. You’re special,’ she says.

  I flush with pleasure. I like Britney’s dad. He’s a nice man. He reminds me of an absent-minded, kindly professor. ‘You know when I told you that twin story. I hadn’t heard about your twin then.’

  ‘I know that. Anyway that’s a cute story. It taught me something,’ she says with a happy smile.

  ‘Good. How do you feel now?’ I ask.

  ‘I feel as if I finally figured out a 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle that I’ve been working on for seventeen years. I don’t feel happy or victorious, but I do feel vindicated. I don’t ever have to think that I am weird, or there’s something wrong with me anymore. I’m just like everybody else, only I lost my other half.’

  ‘Yeah?’ I say, smiling at her.

  ‘Yeah, and you know what else, I feel stronger and more sure about the future.’

  ‘Oh, Britney. I’m so happy for you.’

  She lowers her voice. ‘I guess while I’m here we might as well discuss the surprise birthday party that Dad is throwing for me this Saturday.’

  ‘Huh? You know about that?’

  ‘Duh! Of course. Dad’s got a mark on his calendar saying, ‘Britney’s surprise birthday party.’’

  I laugh. That is exactly the kind of thing I would have expected from Britney’s dad.

  ‘Don’t you think you should tell me about it so I can make some of the important decisions, and it doesn’t turn out to be a complete disaster?’

  I laugh. ‘No flies on you,’ I say.

  It is nearly midnight and I’m already in bed when Cash texts me.

  Meet me?

  As soon as I see the message my heart starts pounding.

  Where r u?

  His answer is instantaneous.

  Around the corner.

  My hands are shaking with excitement as I type.