Drowning in the East River

by Kimberly Pierce

  David pulled back slightly, fighting against all his instinct urging him to dig inside her as deeply as possible.

  Feeling his hesitation, she looked up into his eyes. "Don't worry about me."

  "You..." David began.

  “I’ve been waiting as long as you have.” She said, her voice urgent as she brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes. The frankness of her eye contact seemed to detract from the slight nerves in her voice.

  She softly moaned as David began kissing her neck. He gently bit the sensitive skin just above her collar bone. Her chest arched towards him as he playfully flicked and sucked her erect nipple with his tongue. "That feels amazing," she said, her voice was a throaty whisper. "I love you, David." Her breasts arched to meet his lips once again. Her eyes were squeezed shut, she tugged at his hair, urging him to continue. She whimpered, "Oh my god-" Her body shivered with the waves of sensations as he thrusted deep inside of her. Her hands squeezed the bedspread.

  "I love you, too," he whispered into her ear. The words came in short bursts, with each thrust his body quivered with the sensory overload wracking his body. Unable to continue, he collapsed next to her as he came deep inside of her.

  Breathing heavily, she wrapped her arm around his neck, toying with his hair as the waves of relaxing endorphins coursed through his system.

  David opened his eyes. The wide eyed girl looked up at him and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She sat up on her knees and pulled her thick black hair away from her face. Sitting forward, David reached for his jacket, which was piled in a heap on the floor.

  She jumped in, "Let me do that." Sitting forward, she grabbed the jacket out from between his fingers. She reached into the breast pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Pulling one out, she lit it with steady fingers and slid it between his lips. A small smile crossed her lips.

  "Gracias." David said, drawing the smoke deep into his lungs.

  "De n- Your welcome," she replied, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She smiled to herself, proud of her use of English as she grabbed her slip from the floor. She looked over her shoulder at him as she slid the straps of material over her shoulders, covering the soft curves of her body.

  Refastening his pants, David stood up, digging through his wallet. The girl took one last look at him before she disappeared into the tiny bathroom just off the bedroom. He could hear her splashing some water from a wash basin, likely freshening up.

  He dropped a small wad of ones on the bed from his pocket. As he moved towards the door, he tucked his shirt into his pants, and slid his jacket over his shoulder. The stifling summer head had moved in with full force. Sweat stains were forming under his arms. He shut the door quietly behind him, feeling no more relaxed than he did when he walked into the whore house.

  Outside, the streets were roasting in the caribbean summer sunshine. David slid his jacket over his shoulder and quickly wiped his forehead with his hat cap before replacing it on his head. He undid his cufflinks, rolling his sleeves up around his elbows as he moved down the busy main road.

  The sun was high in the sky over Old Square as David turned off the main road. Despite the early hour, hoards of tipsy tourists flowed in and out of the bars lining the enclosed square.

  "You look lost!"

  David turned around, looking for the source of the familiar voice. Alexander had just emerged from a bar. He smiled brightly, a large margarita already in his hand. He walked up to David.

  "You look drunk," David replied, chuckling at Alexander's noticeable state.

  "Enjoying myself," Alexander said, his curious eyes lingering over every inch of David's body.

  He wrapped his arm around David's waist, their bodies lingering together for an intimate moment. "When I woke up, you were gone."

  "I haven't been sleeping too good in the last couple of days," David said, fanning himself with his hat. He shuffled, taking a slight step back from Alexander. Havana was heating up quickly as the sun continued to beat down on the cobblestoned streets. "I decided to get an early start. I didn't want to wake you."

  "You've been enjoying yourself too, I see?" Alexander asked, looking David up and down. A bemused chuckled passed over his face.

  David looked around, trying to figure out what subtle sign Alexander was picking up on which he was missing. Alexander took a step closer and ran his fingers over David's neck, just under his collar. Looking down at Alexander's hand, there was a crimson smudge of lipstick smeared over his fingers.

  David clasped his hands over his neck, scrubbing at the soft skin with his bristly handkerchief. "I didn't realize-" he said, his words were jumbled from nerves. He shifted his eyes, glancing around the street. Taking a quick glance at the handkerchief in his hand, there was a ruby red smear of the teenage whore's deep red lipstick.

  "Have a good time, I assume?" Alexander asked, taking another sip of the drink in his hand. David could see the disdain on his face. "Was she good?"

  David tucked the handkerchief back into his pocket and ran his fingers through his hair. "Not particularly." He glanced at the peach colored cobblestones under his feet, a thin layer of dirt covered everything in sight. He shuffled his feet, before glancing back up to meet Alexander's eyes. He pressed his hands to his face, exhaling sharply. "I was hoping it might make me feel better, I guess."

  Alexander took a moment, before he pulled David into him. He wrapped his arm around David's narrow shoulder.

  David rested his head against the side of Alexander’s shoulder momentarily, before glancing quickly around the street. He shuffled, his cheeks burning with embarrassment that he didn't mind the frank nature of Alexander's contact. "I sho-".

  "No one's paying attention," Alexander said, not breaking eye contact with David. His glance was unwavering, he dropped his voice an octave. He wrapped his fingers around David's bicep. "Just relax. No one here cares about what we do when we're alone."

  "I'm sorry," David said, looking up into Alexander's eyes. "I thought I might feel normal. Then she looked up at me, and I could see Jess looking back at me. It was like she was right in front of me again. I felt sick... I felt like the animal those women have always claimed I am."

  Alexander wrapped his arm around David's neck. He smiled, there was a thoughtful, insightful tone to his voice as he continued. "I guess I can see how this is strange for you."

  They started walking down the long city block. Around them, locals and tourists were going through the somewhat mundane and tired actions of early morning. People were ducking into restaurants for much needed coffee, they were going shopping for fruit and vegetables. No one seemed to take any notice of their familiarity

  David tucked his hands into his pockets; his fingers played with the pack of cigarettes deep inside.

  "I'm not sure if you believe me when I say it, but I do care for you," Alexander said, the words coming very out of the blue. He reached forward and grabbed David's forearm, pulling him to a stop. He took his hand inside of his, making sure David was paying attention to what he was saying. He spoke deliberately, making sure David heard the words. "I want to be able to make you whole again."

  David looked down at him, they stopped walking turning down a deserted alley just off the main street. No one seemed to look twice at them as they disappeared out of view into the tight space between the two quiet and airy buildings. "You know you're taking on a hell of a project," David said with a harsh chuckle. He broke eye contact, running a quick hand through his hair.

  The mouth of the alley was obscured by a parked truck, painting the illusion of privacy on the busy urban street, which was growing increasingly busy with early Sunday morning traffic.

  David took a quick look out towards the street, making sure no one could see them.

  David backed Alexander against the brick wall of the alley. He braced one hand against the wall, the other hand fingering the buttons of Alexander's shirt.

  David closed his eyes and leaned down, their lips met in a kiss. There bod
ies were pressed firmly against each other. David could feel every curve of Alexander's body pressed against him.

  Opening his eyes, David looked off towards the street.

  "Just relax," Alexander whispered into David's ear. He wrapped his arm's around David's neck, seemingly un-phased by the thought people could be watching their every move. He paused, gently nibbling on David's earlobe. His voice was quiet, just above a whisper. "Just let your body take over. Give in to what you feel. We're all alone here. No one cares."

  "I want too," David said. He could feel an involuntary tension in his muscles around his shoulders. He ran his fingers through Alexander's increasingly shaggy hair. The boy had skipped combing his hair this morning, instead taking the easy option of throwing a newsboy cap on over his bedraggled head. A three day beard was taking over his normally smooth face. "You have no idea how much I want too." David continued, and involuntary sigh spilling from his throat.

  "You can let yourself heal," Alexander replied, speaking matter-of-factly. He reached up, fingering the rough corduroy of David's bow-tie. He stopped, thinking for a moment to collect his words in his frazzled brain. With a moment of contemplation, he decided to continue with what he wanted to say. "I'm sure you won't believe me, but your wife wouldn't want you to stay broken for ever. With the way you describe her, she would have wanted you to move on."

  "You're right," David said, sighing heavily. He more than knew that would be the case. In fact, Jessica would want him to go out, and find another girl and move on with his life. The thought of another woman, courting and marrying again was overwhelming. "I just can't even think about

  replacing her."

  "You wouldn't be," Alexander said, fingering the wedding band around David's neck. He spoke after a moment of contemplation. "You should be allowed to live your life. Your life isn't over."

  They turned down another alley way which jutted off the main square. As they maneuvered between the two buildings, the sounds of the city bled into the distance, leaving them by themselves.

  CHAPTER TEN

  "My question, is why did it take so long for women to get the right to vote, anyway?" David took a puff on his cigarette and refocused his attention on the far end of the table where one of the girls from the party was engaged in an escalating political discussion. "New Zealand passed suffrage in 1893. Why has the United States waited almost thirty years to do the same thing? It is pathetic that a country which is so proud of its progressive politics is still so afraid of them."

  They were crowded around a long, green table on the open air patio of the Hotel Plaza restaurant. The balcony overlooked the ocean. Somewhere in the in the distance, a clock-tower struck midnight. It seemed to be the only noise audible over the rolling waves.

  One of the men who had gathered around them took a hefty puff on his cigar and laughed. "Frances, a woman with a husband has no need for a vote." There was a belittling tone to his voice as he continued. "Maybe you should... switch your focus."

  "Mr. Partridge, I can represent myself perfectly fine, thank you." She looked him over with an indifferent expression. Raising a coy eyebrow, she continued. "I have absolutely no need to rely on a man for things I can do perfectly well myself."

  A knowing chuckle passed over the men who made up 99 percent of the group.

  David stood up, pushing himself back from the table. The Americans in Havana were predominantly the same artists and creatives he came in to contact with in New York. They all seemed to lean on the same political arguments, flocking to join them as a way of proving their self-worth. In a room by themselves, most were drowning in feelings of insecurity.

  David slid his cigarette between his lips and leaned against the railing overlooking the ocean. He closed his eyes against the chilly breeze blowing in from the water. The smell of salt hung heavily in the air.

  David looked up at what should have been a sky full of stars twinkling far above his head. The sky must have been overcast. A black blanket shrouding the sky in nothingness.

  He ran a hand over his face. Blood was was still pulsing from his nose. Running his tongue over his chapped lips, he could taste an overpowering coppery aftertaste. Wiping his hand on his pants, he pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped at the blood. It seemed to just smear it more over his face. His eye throbbed behind the socket.

  He let out an involuntary cough, hoping to dispel the tightness building in his chest. Putting pressure on the bridge of his nose, he held his head back, trying to stop the bleeding.

  "What are you doing here?" Jessica asked, yanking him from his thoughts. She tightened the wrap around her shoulders as she sat next to him on the curb. She looked him over, noticing the mess that was his face. "David, what on earth happened?" She pulled a handkerchief out of the pocket of her skirt. "Hold your head back."

  "Nothing," he replied. His voice sounded garbled in his own ears. With his clean hand, he reached down and squeezed her knee. His other hand held the handkerchief to his face.

  "I'm not an idiot, darling." Jessica replied. He yelped as she gingerly touched the bridge of his nose, which cracked loudly in his head. She kept her voice quiet as she continued, a soft smile crossing her face. "I assume you didn't walk into a door."

  He continued slowly, forming the words carefully through gritted teeth before letting them spill from his lips."I got in the way of my father's fist," David said. His stomach was tied in angry knots, sending uneasy adrenaline pulsing through his body. "I didn't want to bother you... I just wasn't sure where else to go. It's just-- I can't go home."

  Jessica paused, looking over her shoulder towards the brownstone. The two story building glowed with life on the chilly evening.

  "I can go..." David said, jumping in to fill the protracted silence.

  "No, David. It's not that...everyone's home. I just need to make a plan." She scooted closer, pressing her body into his. He wrapped his free hand around her, holding her tightly. She smiled and looked up at him, "Tell me your father looks this bad?"

  David sighed, pressing the handkerchief hard enough onto his nose to hurt.

  Jessica stood up. She was biting her lip, the wheels in her head turning with possibilities. She stared at the house for a moment before turning to face him. "You know the fire-escape under the bedroom window?"

  "Yeah," David replied.

  "The Baker family on the floor below us moved to Yonkers. You should be able to stay out there without anyone noticing you." She paused, thinking for another moment. She flashed a relaxed smile, her voice quiet as she continued. "Head over there, I'll be down as soon as I can get away." With that, she turned towards the door.

  David stood up and turned towards her. He stopped suddenly, an air of wooziness coming over him. "Jess, I..."

  She turned around at his voice. “Yes?"

  "Thank you," he replied.

  "You're welcome," she flashed another smile. He could see in the hint of disappointment which flashed through her eyes that those weren't the words she expected to hear from him.

  Just because it had taken him a while to actually say I love you didn't mean it wasn't true. He ran a hand through his hair as he stood up. He brushed his hands together and rang out his tingling fingers.

  He glanced back across the balcony, where the group slowly started to disperse. A sleepy quiet replaced what had been drunken merriment just a few minutes before. Stretching out a kink in his back, a yawn slipped from his lips.

  "You're a million miles away," Alexander said. He walked over, leaning against the balcony next to him. "You're thinking about Jess again, aren't you."

  "Sorry," David answered. He craned his neck, looking back towards the small group still gathered around the table. "That discussion took me back a bit. Feeling a bit nostalgic."

  "You two coming?" One of the girls had stood up, and was waving in their direction. She stopped to push a strand of curly blonde hair back from her eyes. She walked over to them, a drunken bounce in her walk. "We're going to Fr
ankie's villa. She has a new painting she wants to show off."

  Alexander glanced in his direction, his eyes glittering with excitement. "Let's go."

  David looked back out over the water. "You go ahead and go. I think I need to walk a bit. Feeling a little anxious."

  "Are you sure?" Alexander asked, his look immediately morphed into disappointment. "I'm sure Gracie here can help you clear you're head."

  "I don't want to spoil anyone's good time," he forced a smile over his face. "Go and have fun.”

  Alexander looked to David as he started towards the staircase. "You're sure?"

  "Yeah," David replied. "Go."

  At that, the girl grabbed Alexander's hand leading him back inside.

  David waited a moment, letting them disappear into the distance before he stood up and looked and looked around. He was the last man left on the balcony, sleepy blues music drifted out from inside the restaurant.