Honey Whiskey

Champagne

In the cold garage, the fresh clay rolled under his deft fingers. Despite the lapse of time since he had used this medium, the clay belonged in his hands. Before he had even the slight chance to form the mouth of the vase, it collapsed into itself. Jonah slumped onward, he banged his muddy fist firmly onto the table. His outburst caused his sculpting tools to roll off and rattle against the floor. Jonah was covered in clay stains, he needed a break. Chills started crawling all over his body, his hair stood up on his uncovered forearm. Jonah rolled down the sleeves of his damaged grey wool sweater, he didn't want to catch a cold.

Ding, ding.

Glancing back at the pink Cadillac, which was taking up the remaining space in the small garage, Jonah took his phone which had been resting on the hood of the car. A pop-up was displayed on the scratched screen. He entered his password and took a better look at the message he had just received.

{Maybelle: Hey, I'm bored. Do you want to hang out?}

His finger actively tapping against the keyboard, Jonah had to answer her. He wanted to know more, deep down he was hoping it was more than just an invitation for a day out with his best friend.

{Jonah: Hang out?}

He had put his phone back onto the hood of the car. Jonah started picking up the sculpting tools that were scattered across the floor. Not a mere minute later, his phone suddenly dinged again.

{Maybelle: You know what I mean.}

He was glancing at each letter, his brain didn't seem to register what she had written to him. Thumping against his chest, Jonah's heart was pounding wildly. Jonah bit his lips and gazed at the project for his day off. She was more important than his -now- disintegrated attempt at making a pottery vase. Knowing full well, that she wouldn't wait all day for him, Jonah rapidly closed the garage and went on his way. He had to get cleaned up before he would visit Maybelle's apartment.

~

His fingers traveled across his thick red curls, Jonah was agitated. His hand was clinging to these freshly picked sunflowers from Miss Elliot's garden. After knocking on her door, Jonah took a step back and started to sweat. Before he even could react or speak, Maybelle had opened the door and was facing him. She smiled after noticing the flowers, which were obviously for her.

"-Oh! Thank you, those look very nice.", she immediately took them and made her way back into her apartment.

"-..."

Jonah waited on the doormat for what seemed like hours. Finally, his body forced him to enter the lavish New Orleans apartment. He knew every inch of the apartment, he had been here often during the six years they had known each other. Making his way past the small cluttered entrance, he met Maybelle in the kitchen. She was carefully adding water into a vase, where the sunflowers were being held. After she had finished her task, Jonah approached her. His breathing was heavy, it wasn't their first time seeing each other for sex but his feeling of nervousness remained.

"-Maybelle?"

"-You know why you are here, we don't have to talk."

"-But-...", barely able to form a sentence, he was suddenly grabbed by Maybelle. She firmly seized his ass and pulled Jonah against her, he couldn't help locking eyes with her.

"-Kiss me."

His hands brushed against her lower back, he sensed Maybelle quiver under his deft fingers. Her breath was clashing against his lips as Jonah was leaning closer to her. He gradually placed his hands under her thighs, lifting her onto the cold countertop. Their hearts were beating in the same rhythm. Jonah's lips met hers for the umpteenth time, he could feel the butterfly in his stomach as if it was their first time. Maybelle wrapped tightly her legs around his waist, he had to plant his hands on the countertop to stay still. She was crushing him as a boa would do for her prey. Jonah couldn't stop glancing meticulously at her beautiful face. His eyes were recording each little detail: her beauty marks, the imperfection on her soft skin, even the smallest scars, which would never leave his mind. Jonah loved her deeply even if the feelings weren't reciprocated.

"-Let me-...", she had taken the lead and was pulling his sweater off, she threw it across the kitchen. Before he could even notice where it had landed, they had resumed their steamy kissing session.

His hand made its way under her black skirt, Jonah was delicately stroking the seam of her silk underwear. The room had suddenly become very humid and stuffy. Maybelle traced his jawline with her finger before disembarking from the marble countertop. He was in disbelief, had he done something wrong? She had taken a few steps back, and Maybelle began to undress in front of him. Jonah was stunned by the view he was taking in, her champagne silk lingerie was hugging her body. His brain was instantly turned to mush, she signaled him to follow her. It took him a few seconds to collect himself and he followed Maybelle upstairs while taking off the remaining of his clothes.

~

The morning rain was pecking on the skylights, Jonah finally awoke from his sleep. Scanning around the room, there weren't any decorations on the wall. He shifted his attention to the left, his eyes gazing at Maybelle. She was still peacefully sleeping, wrapped under her purple bedspread. Her hair was framing her beautiful face. Her lips appeared to smile on their own. All of those aspects of her physique couldn't even compare to how Maybelle was as a person - witty, caring, immensely funny, and her heart was made of pure gold. Jonah was truly wishing she thought the same of him.

"-You are still staring at me?", his heart stopped beating for a second. He didn't think she had woken up.

"-Still?"

"-It has been a couple of minutes now.", Maybelle finally opened her eyes to look at Jonah, who still hadn't stopped staring at her.

"-Sorry. You look like you were sleeping very well."

"-I was, yes.", she smirked at Jonah after her remark.

"-Good morning then."

"-Good morning to you too.", Maybelle dragged her body out of bed, wrapped in the bedspread.

Left with the bedsheet to cover Jonah's naked body, he stayed in bed. After she had disappeared into the adjacent bathroom, he stood up and slipped on his navy blue boxers. While he was making his way downstairs, Jonah heard footsteps following him. Maybelle slithered past him and sat at the piano, Jonah cherished the moments when he could hear her play. As he returned from the kitchen with two glasses of iced tea, she had begun to play some notes, which echoed in the large apartment. Maybelle's white dressing gown was hardly concealing her champagne lingerie, her fingers were trailing off on the two-toned keys. He set down the two glasses onto the side table near the piano, before taking place next to Maybelle. She was playing exclusively songs she had written.

"-You like the songs?", She appeared proud of herself after seeing how much he enjoyed each of them, it was gradually elevating her ego.

"-Yes, they are amazing."

"Wait here...", after leaving the piano and Jonah alone, she went to grab a joint of The Herb on her coffee table.

Maybelle's knees were killing her. After she took a puff of smoke and released it gradually, she advanced toward Jonah and sat back down on the bench. Maybelle extended The Herb in his direction. He grasped it and smoked casually before giving it back to her. Sliding the joint back between her lips, Maybelle began to play music again. This perfect day would remain in Jonah's memory for a long time.

~

Back home, Romy was finally leaving town with Elaï. They were moving back to New York. Jonah didn't want to let go, he was sobbing. He had made a new friend and he was now leaving. He held on to Romy, smothering him in his arms.

"-Jonah-..."

"-No! Don't go...", his grip was getting tighter on Romy.

"-But I have to go, don't worry. I will call you when I can and I won't forget to give you news about me every few days."

"-I will make sure he does.", Elaï smiled at Jonah. He knew Romy and Jonah had a special bond. In three months they had become best friends.

He let go of Romy after Miss Elliot gently patted his back. There was no way he would make them change their mind. Jonah was, however, assured to know he would get news from them every now and then. Fresh tears in his eyes, his vision was a tad blurred. After their departure, Miss Elliot tried to make mac n cheese to cheer Jonah up. Even if the food was horrendous, he ate the entire pot she had made for him. It was meant as a nice gesture after all.