by Joe Schwartz
Its only modernization in the last twenty-five years was a state of the art stereo system. Eight speakers had been snugly retrofitted to the ceiling, inconspicuous to the eye and warm to the ear. Dad insisted Vincent not play any of that modern rap-crap and he had gladly complied. For this party in particular, he had chosen a mix of classic soul featuring the likes of Al Green and Bill Withers. It proved a pleasant change of pace from his normal Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead picks.
Jeannie and Vincent sat together at the makeshift bar, occupying two of the three available stools. The remainder of the group compiled of blood relatives to distant cousins, mingled or danced or sat on a graveyard of old couches. All were accounted for except for Brenda and Steve.
“I enjoyed the movie the other night,” Jeannie said.
“Me, too.”
Vincent and Jeannie had missed the last third of the movie to sit in the back row and make-out like lustful teenagers.
They had mutually decided to take it slow. Sex, if it should come to pass, wouldn’t be a perfunctory, routine thing. Vincent had had a lifetime worth of anonymous sex with pathetic groupies eager to get closer to a band. Likewise, Jeannie in a desperate attempt to erase her multiple and abusive stepfathers, was in no rush to consummate this wonderful thing. When the time was right, they would know it and together they would gently cross that border.
The shock on Jeannie’s face was apparent as everyone else’s when Brenda and Steve came downstairs. Steve with stitches and a swollen black eye was already somewhat drunk. Without the slightest hesitation, he left his wife alone to find more liquor. Brenda, used to such behavior dismissed his actions as routine.
Her coat still on, she walked directly toward Vincent and embraced him in a full hug. Jeannie found the resemblance striking. Except for her smooth cheeks and her full-figured body, she and Vincent were identical twins. After exchanging pleasantries, Vincent modestly introduced Jeannie to his sister.
Without any hesitation, Brenda embraced her. A bolt of shame and regret twisted at Jeannie’s heart knowing what she had done with this woman’s husband. Not understanding her embarrassment, Vincent misinterpreted her sudden reclusive spirit as a simple case of nerves. Who wouldn’t be uncomfortable at first, he rationalized, meeting someone’s entire family for the first time.
Vincent offered to take Brenda’s coat. He surreptiously hoped that it would give the women an opportunity to get to know each other.
“How long have you been seeing, Vincent?”
“A couple of weeks now,” Jeannie replied. Her concentration wasn’t effected as much by the few drinks she had consumed as much by her awareness Steve was watching them.
“You make a cute couple. When Vincent first told me about you, I was so happy for him. It’s been a long time since he’s had someone special.”
“Well,” she said feeling genuinely demure, “I think Vincent is pretty special too.”
Vincent came back and placed his arm about Jeannie’s midsection. She found it comforting that he could be so casual with her in this atmosphere. Her only regret was to the clandestine set of circumstances that had allowed her such a marvelous fortune.
Jeannie excused herself from Vincent’s embrace to use the bathroom. It was across the room, at the far end, a direction impossible to cross over without passing by Steve.
She maneuvered between family members. Hard to be heard over the music, she politely tapped strangers on the shoulder to pass by. The bathroom door closed a moment before she came to it and she would have to wait her turn. Jeannie’s urge wasn’t critical and she easily could wait the few minutes before it would become her turn.
“Hey, baby,” Steve said. He was close to her and his presence surprised Jeannie.
“Oh, hey, Steve,” she said. “Great party, huh?”
“Cut the shit, bitch.”
“Steve, I don’t think---”
“Fuck what you think. How much longer are you going to keep doing this?”
“Doing what?” She smiled pretending Steve said something amusing. Jeannie looked over his shoulder toward Vincent, hoping to catch his attention.
“You listen to me,” Steve said, “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry, and I’ll do anything you want.”
“I don’t want anything from you.”
“I’m serious goddamn it. Let’s go somewhere for the weekend. We can get a nice room at some bed and breakfast, order room service, do whatever you like. Quit ignoring me, baby. I can’t take another night without you.”
Jeannie smiled and waved to Vincent over Steve’s shoulder. Through her smile, she said, “It’s over.”
“It is, is it?”
“That’s right asshole and you don’t have anyone to blame except your own dumb self.”
“Maybe I should tell pizza face about what a slut you are?”
“Go ahead,” Jeannie said. The bathroom door opened and she stepped inside. “I don’t give a fuck whether you do or you don’t. I’m not the one who is going to lose shit. Think about it, Steve.”
She closed the door in his face and locked the handle.
Steve backed away from the door in shock. His every threat had been futile. Of course he wouldn’t say anything. She knew that and now he knew it too.
Next week was Halloween, the month after that Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and so on. Steve cursed himself at what a perfect idiot he had been.
Jeannie was right that it was over. He could accept that it was the truth simply because there wasn’t any other reasonable alternatives. Besides, he consoled himself, it was only a matter of time before another trailer park whore came along.
###
About the Author
Joe Schwartz is a lifetime resident of St. Louis. He has lived as far south of the city as Hillsboro and as far north as St. Charles.
He has been variously employed as an offshore oil rig worker, a paralegal, a home delivery driver, and is currently employed with the St. Louis Public Library.
Joe lives in High Ridge, Missouri with his wife of fifteen years and their two children.
Table of Contents
Slow Motion
Good Intentions
Humidity
Ademption
Take It Or Leave It
3 Pigs and A Dog
Father’s Day
Walking Uphill
No More Bets
Free Advice
Blackwater Opera
Family Business
Road to Hell
