Flying Backwards

by Jennifer W Smith

  “Get the tab, we’re leaving,” Sergei said to Alexei over Nora’s head.

  She shoved her way down the packed bar. “Excuse me! Excuse me!” These drunk bastard’s won’t move, she thought. She wasn’t very big, but her bony elbows helped her open a path.

  By the time she reached Rebecca, Rebecca was frantic. “Nora, don’t let Bree go with him.” Nora saw Bree following Tyrone out the door and rushed to follow them. Outside, Bree was pleading with Tyrone.

  “I swear, babe, he never touched me.” Bree followed him like a puppy dog. Nora had never seen her like this. Why is she with this loser?

  “Why are you a lying bitch? I saw it with my own eyes,” he accused.

  “Bree!” Nora yelled. An electric-orange muscle car pulled up to the curb. The door swung open, and Tyrone moved toward it. “Bree, let’s go home,” Nora suggested as she reached Bree’s side.

  Suddenly Tyrone turned around and shot Nora a warning look. He’d already taken several steps toward the car, leaving Bree standing there, but after Nora staked her claim, Tyrone seemed to have acquired a renewed interest in Bree. “Bree, get in the car.”

  Bree looked at him, clearly confused.

  “I said get in the car, bitch.”

  “I don’t think so,” Sergei’s heavily accented voice bellowed. He’d followed Nora through the crowd and out the door. She hadn’t even noticed. Her heart skipped a beat. Thank God for Sergei.

  Three of Tyrone’s buddies started to climb out of the tricked-out vehicle. Tyrone acted cocky until Alexei, who was three inches taller than Sergei, jogged out of the bar and asked, “Is there trouble?” The duo was a threatening pair. Nora knew that boxing was one of their hobbies. As a result Alexei’s face was all angles, and Sergei’s nose was crooked.

  “No trouble,” Tyrone said to the Russians, backing away. His friends slid back into the car. He spit at the ground in Bree’s direction and said to her, “You ain’t worth no trouble, bitch.” The car was already pulling away before Tyrone could shut the door all the way.

  Nora let out a long sigh. She had not realized she’d been holding her breath. She was so relieved Bree had not left with that guy. She grabbed Bree’s hand. “Let’s go home.” Rebecca, Jackie, and Miguel came out of the club just then. Their concern was evident, but Bree did not want to face them. Nora was sure her friend was embarrassed.

  “What happened?” Rebecca ran up and hugged Bree. “Are you all right?”

  Bree looked like she was about to cry. Nora assured her, “Everything’s fine now. We’re going home.”

  As the group walked silently toward their street, Jackie spoke up. “We’re going to take off. Miguel didn’t drink that much. He’s going to drive us home. Want a ride, Rebecca?” Rebecca nodded, and the three of them crossed the street to head toward their car.

  “Okay. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Nora yelled in farewell. Bree kept walking, her arms tightly folded over her chest.

  When they reached the brownstone, Sergei and Alexei stopped on the sidewalk. Bree, who had been silent the whole time, ran up the steps and slammed the door behind her.

  Nora thanked them again. “What would I have done if you were not there? What could I have done?” Nora sat on the stoop. Sergei joined her.

  Alexei said, “Good night.”

  “Night,” they replied at the same time.

  “Oh my God, Sergei, I can’t believe that guy.” Nora gritted her teeth. Sergei sighed in response.

  “You were pretty brave, standing up to that punk. I’ve never seen you so angry. How were you planning on stopping him?” Sergei pulled at a wavy lock of Nora’s hair that hung down her back.

  She looked at him, unable to think of an answer. “I don’t know. Honestly, I’m really glad you were there.” She became distracted, her mind wrestling to find a solution for this problem. “Ahh.” She released some frustration. “I don’t understand any of this. I’ve been working so much… I didn’t know this was going on with Tyrone. Bree never really talked about him. Oh…” She suddenly remembered the phone calls. “I’m an idiot!” She placed both her hands on her head and shook it. “I’ve got to go talk to her.” She placed her hand on his bicep. It was so large her whole hand and fingers lay flat without her fingers curling. “Thank you for following me out of the club. I don’t know what I would have done without you and Alexei.”

  Sergei had been leaning back against the upper stair tread. He slowly sat up and placed one hand on the small of her back. The other skimmed her knee and began easing upward before resting on her bare skin.

  An alarm went off in Nora’s brain. She braced her hands again his chest. “Sergei, I…” she whispered. She didn’t know what to say. Her words stopped the kiss she knew he was ready to give her. Antonio’s face flashed across her eyes, but she scolded herself, No commitments–just having fun! She thought about the possibility of kissing Sergei, but the timing was all wrong. “I need to go inside. I’m sorry.”

  “You are a good friend to her, Nora.” His face was so close to hers she could smell the vodka on his breath.

  “So are you,” she whispered, searching his eyes for a clue about what he was feeling. Sergei just grunted in agreement. He slipped his hands from her body and lifted himself off the stoop. He walked toward his brownstone across the street. Nora felt a chill where the heat of Sergei’s body had been. He had been going to kiss her! And she didn’t think she’d mind kissing him back. She would have to think about that later. Right now, she needed to talk to Bree. She scrambled up the steps, slipped inside, and locked the door behind her.

  Nora knocked on her bedroom door. “Bree, can I come in?”

  “I’m going to sleep.”

  Nora opened the door. “Please talk to me. Are you okay? What is going on? Why are you seeing that guy?” Nora blurted as she crossed the room and sat at the end of Bree’s bed.

  Bree had the covers pulled up to her chin. “I don’t know. He was all right for a while. He’s not usually like that.”

  “Why were you arguing?” Watching Tyrone yelling in Bree’s face had made Nora’s blood boil.

  “Oh, that.” She waved her hand. “Tyrone thought some guy next to me grabbed my ass, but he didn’t. He acts crazy when he gets jealous.”

  “He was a jerk the whole time. Bree, you deserve to be with someone better than that loser. Please tell me you won’t see him again. You’re not planning on seeing him again, are you?” Nora knew she could not tell her friend what to do, so she was reduced to pleading.

  Bree shook her head, and Nora felt relieved. Nora had the impression that Bree’s fondness for bad boys had to do with her family life. Bree had confessed before that guys she’d dated drove her parents crazy. There had been an older musician and then some guy with questionable tattoos. Her parents’ divorce seemed to have exacted a toll on Bree’s choices for healthy relationships.

  “Thanks, Nora, for looking out for me.” Bree’s chest softly convulsed, and humiliated tears spilled from her eyes.

  After Nora tucked Bree into bed she slipped from the room. She scrubbed her face clean, slipped on a T-shirt, and snuggled under her grandmother’s quilt with a heavy sigh. She was worried about her friend. Nora was dismayed that she had been right about Tyrone. She’d had a bad feeling about him from the beginning. She thought again how lucky she was to have Sergei and Alexei to help her.

  Sergei… He’d wanted to kiss her tonight. He had always been sweet to her, and she’d sensed he liked her, but she hadn’t expected him to actually make a move on her. He was good-looking in a rugged sort of way. Not like Antonio. Antonio was hunky and sensual. How was it possible she had two men interested in her? She wanted to see Antonio again–to be with him. She had planned on picking up a trip back to Rome at the end of this month. Yes, as soon as she could–she had to see him again

  The morning after the Tyrone incident, Bree confessed her insecurities to Nora about the guys she dated. “I choose them for all
the wrong reasons, like I get a high when I feel like they are aloof or dangerous… It’s a challenge to get them to date me.” Bree spooned yogurt into her mouth. “I’m so stupid.” She dug for another serving.

  Nora asked the tough question. “What are you going to do about it?”

  Bree poked around in her yogurt cup as she thought. “Okay, I know what you are thinking, and you’re right,” she finally answered. “I’m turning over a new leaf. I’m done dating assholes,” she pledged.

  “You better be.” Nora toughened her voice. “You deserve better.”

  Choked with emotion, Bree nodded at her friend’s fierce devotion.

  Chapter Nine

  Nora’s next trip took her to Vienna. After completing the food and beverage service on her Austrian-bound flight, Nora had some time to herself. She sat pondering the love interests in her life.

  Antonio… He was passionate. He commanded her body to want him with one glance from his dark eyes. His possessive hands were always on her–his arm slung over her shoulder, his hand at the small of her back as he guided her beside him, caressing her shoulders and thighs as they sat side by side at cafes. Their relationship was physical, and it was okay if that’s all it was. And anyway, it was too early to think about it becoming more than that. She was having fun. The sex was amazing. She blushed just thinking about how primal it was.

  Nora’s thoughts shuffled to the next man on her radar. Sergei… She hadn’t seen him since he’d almost kissed her. Was she interested in him? She had to ask herself if that would ever be a possibility. She loved his accent. He was a nice guy, handsome, sweet to her; he had a good job, lived in America (big plus), and obviously really liked her. Those were good points to consider.

  * * *

  Vienna was beautiful and clean, and the people were friendly. Nora paired up with two flight attendants she’d flown over with who were nice enough to take her around on her first visit. Nora couldn’t stop taking pictures of the charming old-world city. Her companions took her to their favorite restaurant for dinner, where Nora tried wiener schnitzel, very thin veal slices, breaded and deep-fried. Who doesn’t like anything that is deep-fried? she thought. That night in her hotel room she called her parents. There was a six-hour time difference, so it was still afternoon in her hometown.

  “How is Austria?” Heidi exclaimed. “She’s in Vienna, Austria,” she said to Victoria. She told Nora they were in the kitchen preparing for the weekend’s function.

  “Did you get the photos I e-mailed you?” Nora tried to send trip photos to her mom when she got the chance. She felt guilty that she hadn’t been home in weeks.

  “Oh, yes. Your dad and I have enjoyed them. How are you?” Heidi asked.

  “Great. Everything has been going well. How is everyone there?” The conversation felt a little too formal. She missed her family. Nora could picture them in the kitchen, and wished she were there right now. Seeing the world was a dream come true, but there was nothing like spending time with your family–the people you loved, the people who loved you.

  “Everyone is fine here. Victoria is going to e-mail you some pictures of the Miller wedding. It was an elegant event–wait until you see their cake.” Heidi chatted for a few more minutes. Then Victoria got on the line to tell that pregnancy was agreeing with her.

  Nora was sleepy, and they were busy with a deadline, so they made the call a brief one.

  * * *

  Right after her trip to Vienna, Nora picked up a trip to Germany. She had just now returned to Philadelphia and was going to be home a few days before going to Rome…‌to Antonio. She hadn’t seen Bree or Sergei for over a week. But Bree was out, probably at the gym, Nora surmised. She went upstairs to do laundry and repack her suitcase. The suitcase had its own bench in her room and was constantly being unpacked and restocked, always ready to go at a moment’s notice. Nora was just going down the stairs when Bree opened the front door.

  “Hi!” Nora’s voice made it clear she was glad to finally see her roommate.

  The girls settled in on the couch to catch up. Bree could not wait to fill Nora in on yet another incident with Tyrone. When Bree had returned from her trip earlier in the week, Tyrone had come banging on their door, threatening her if she didn’t answer.

  “Once again Sergei came to my rescue.” Bree chugged a bottle of water because she had just been to the gym, as Nora figured. “Not only did Sergei flatten Tyrone with one punch, but apparently Sergei knows someone who knows someone Tyrone gets his drugs from. Let’s just say he won’t be bothering me anymore.”

  “Drugs?” Nora raised her eyebrows.

  “Don’t worry, it was all him. I don’t do that shit.”

  “Wow. Well, it’s a good thing Sergei’s our neighbor.” Nora got up to hunt around in the kitchen for something to eat. “I’m glad Sergei was around. I hated leaving you here alone.”

  “Yeah, he is so sweet. He even spent the night.” Bree took another swig from her water bottle and joined Nora in the kitchen.

  Nora’s head snapped up. “Sergei spent the night?”

  “Yeeaaah–on the couch, so I would feel safe.” Bree sent Nora a look. “It’s not like that.” She wrinkled her nose. “He’s not my type.”

  “Right.” Nora felt foolish suggesting there could be something between Bree and Sergei. Men were always attracted to Bree, and Nora had found it surprising that Sergei looked only her way, even when Bree was in the room. Apparently Bree was not Sergei’s type either.

  Nora’s came up empty-handed after rummaging in the refrigerator and cabinets. “What do you want for dinner?”

  “I don’t know. I’m so tired of take-out. Do you feel like cooking?” Bree asked, eyebrows raised hopefully. Bree did not know how to cook, even though her mother had set up their kitchen as if a chef lived there. Nora was not a trained chef. She had not attended culinary school like her sister Victoria, but Nora was a very good cook.

  “How about I run down to the market? I’ll make some baked chicken, rice, and green beans.”

  “I think I love you,” Bree said as she headed upstairs to take her shower.

  Nora grabbed her purse and headed for the door. Nora hoped she would not run into Sergei just yet. She didn’t want things to be weird between them. Tomorrow night she would be on her way to see Antonio. Sergei was nowhere in sight, and she was thankful, for now.

  * * *

  Nora’s last work flight for the month fell in the third week in June. She was bound for Antonio’s arms again. It was the third time she’d gone back to him in the two months since she’d met him. He picked her up at the airport, and they had barely closed the door of her hotel room before he was tugging off her clothes. After an hour of lovemaking, Nora’s sweat-drenched body felt satisfied and relaxed, but Antonio was insatiable. She was drifting off when she felt his hot wet tongue circling her bellybutton. She reached down and clutched his unruly dark hair.

  “Oh, let me rest, Antonio. I’ve been up all night.”

  “Okay. A little nap, then I’ll take you to lunch.” He rolled from the bed, bent to retrieve his pants, and pulled a cell phone from his pocket. Nora’s heavy lids pumped several times before they closed, catching a last look at his splendid physique. She drifted into a restful slumber.

  She woke and rolled over, allowing the tangled sheet to slip free. She stretched naked before him. His eyes were fixed on her, still as a statue, and then he blinked. He sat naked at the desk, where he had been scrolling through e-mails on his phone. She slipped from the bed and mumbled she needed a shower. She padded to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. She stepped into the warm, refreshing water and tilted her head back, smoothing her hair.

  When she opened her eyes, Antonio was posed like a predator in the doorway. His forearms braced against the doorjamb; she observed the steady rise and fall of his chest. There was only a small glass shower wall between them. He strutted toward her and slipped into the shower, which was clea
rly made for one person. She felt confined as his large body overwhelmed the tight interior. Her backside flattened against the glass, and her long hair plastered itself to the surface. Cupping the back of her neck, he held her still while his tongue plundered her mouth. His hungry kisses caused her to easily forget about the constricted space. Still holding her neck, he turned her torso so she faced the glass wall. The wet strands of her hair clung to the glass, and she rested her forehead there. Behind her his knee wedged between her legs, causing her to widen her stance. Oh no, not again. But he made her inner protest rapidly fade.

  His primal lovemaking left her somewhat sore. They had enjoyed each other again after their lunch outing, and they ordered dinner in, giving them time to play all evening. When Antonio slipped off to work the next day, Nora was glad for the reprieve. She met up with the other flight attendants from her crew in the lobby and joined them for a day of exploration. There were endless sites to visit in the city of Rome.

  Antonio picked her up later, and as they drove to dinner she told him about her day. His hand reached over and crept up her leg. Over authentic fare and glasses of wine, Antonio talked mostly about the vineyard. Then, keeping his voice low and seductive, he detailed what he was going to do to her when they were alone again. Nora glanced around, praying no one had overheard his outrageous declarations. She redirected the conversation. “Your family’s vineyard is incredible. You’re fortunate to have a big, close family. I admire that,” she said sincerely.

  Antonio seemed to puff with pride. “You are a keeper.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and gave it a wolfish bite. She swatted at him playfully. “Our vineyards are our legacy. Our children’s children will run them. I am confident.”

  “Are you planning on having any of those children?” She pictured dark-eyed little boys and girls running around with their mischievous cousins.

  “Of course. Eventually I’ll marry an Italian woman, and she will bear me many children.” He drank from his wine glass.