The Trials of Loving Her

Always Chapter 7

We crossed the streets to meet a wide white wooden stairway leading towards Nightingale, a large two story building built using yellow limestone, sitting upon what was assumed by most people to be a small hill. I’d never seen that many eyes before falling toward my direction, looking upon the greatest thing since birth I suppose. Why die and enter heaven when an angel like her walks among us? She looked at me as nervously as one might get when the likes of strangers begin to stare. She grabbed a hold of my right hand as we came closer toward the long porch, her breath becoming aloud.

   “Maybe if we pretend to be together they’ll stop looking,” she told me.

   “Can you blame them? You look amazing,” I assured her. “You’ll have to claw their eyes out for them to not notice you.”

   “Will you be my pretend boyfriend for the night?” she asked, smiling, staring into my eyes.

   “Why pretend when I could just be,” I replied, but she just blushed it off, saying nothing back.

   “Oh no,” a loud voice said approaching me with light footsteps, with heavier ones following behind. “You’re not welcome here Jason,” Lucille warned as she stood before me with a large bouncer behind her with his scalp and head all covered in tattoos. “After causing a brawl last night and running off with another victim of yours, I don’t want you here.”

   “Look, I’m not here to cause a problem,” I explained, “I’m just here to grab a few drinks with my friend. I won’t be in your way, I promise.”

   “Your promises don’t mean jack around here,” Lucille replied, staring at Sera as she noticed we were holding each other’s hand. “This is new.” She then said, “If you’re holding her hand you must really like her or you haven’t grown tired of sleeping with her yet.”

   “Excuse me?” Sera said, smiling as she heard Lucille’s remarks. “Why do you say that?”

   “He’s not exactly prince charming,” Lucille explained. “He’s more of a hit and quit type. You should run while you have the chance. If he tells you you’re his first, he’s usually lying.”

   “I never lied to you,” I interrupted.

   “Wait a minute,” Sera said, looking closer into her eyes. Deep green eyes stared back with hints of familiarity. “Lucille, you’ve gotten bigger than I’ve remembered.” Sera began hugging her as Lucille stood confused.

   “Do I know you?” Lucille asked, stepping away.

   “It’s me, Sera. I used to come over and babysit when your mom used to work at the laundromat.”

   “I’m sorry,” Lucille replied, shocked. “I remember now,” she confessed as she hugged her back. “My mom passed on a few years ago to cancer. She left me some savings and this is what I did.”

   “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m proud of you,” Sera admitted. “You’ve done well for yourself.”

   “Thank you,” Lucille answered. “Why are you moving about with this waste of space?” she then wondered, staring toward me with bitterness in her eyes. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want,” she told Sera, “but he could hit the road.” As she finished her sentence, she left and entered back inside with her bouncer following her back in.

   “So, was she your first?” Sera asked folding her hand.

   “God no,” I replied. “First blonde, yes.  Last one, yes,” I then confessed with a laugh. “I figure they might all be crazy.”

   “You’re such a clown,” she said, laughing louder than me. “Come on Loverboy,” she took my hand, dragging me inside. “You’re with me. She’ll have to throw us both out if she wants to get rid of you.”

   When she took my hand, we went towards the bar counter, taking shots of tequila along with a couple of cirocs. We spent hours talking about our goals and plans for the future and the places she hopes to visit someday. She fancied Italy, seeing Florence and all its wonders was a dream of hers. When I told her I didn’t care to leave Claymon Hill she didn’t laugh as I thought she would. Instead she embraced the idea. “Treasuring home is a good thing.” she told me. After many dozens of shots, we played a game of pool and we made a pact. The winner owed the loser a favour; no matter what it was, we had to follow through with whatever the person asked of us. No matter the time or place, we vowed to keep our end of the bargain. After ten minutes had passed, I had the game won. She blamed the alcohol for her loss while I credited myself for being a great player. Then as they played Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Lucille grabbed her and began dancing with her in the centre of the bar with a great many people joining them. I sat at the far end of the room on the right, watching her as she danced her troubles away. Whatever problems she had walking in, they weren’t there anymore, at least in the moment. As I took a couple more shots in, I joined her. We danced through countless classics and then we drank until she could barely stand on her own.

   It was just after three in the morning when I caught her from her bar stool. I grabbed her, her bag, and lifted her off the ground and out of the bar towards the van. Lucille came out with a bottle of water in her hand, trying to help despite our differences. She took the key out of Sera’s bag and opened the passenger’s seat while I took my time placing her in. I gave her some water but as she took a few mouthfuls in, she vomited everything onto my shirt and went back to sleep. 

   “I’m so glad I got to witness this,” Lucille said, laughing as she stared at the puke dripping down my chest. “Drive safe…” she then said, “jerk,” she finished.

   I thought I’d be disgusted by the smell or the look of it, but nothing of its nature seemed to bother me. I felt no scorn towards her; I just wanted to take care of her as best I could. I drove with my messy clothes while her head rested upon my lap. I couldn’t take her home that night. You know the old saying; you return something in the same condition you found it. Her father hadn’t killed me yet, but if he had found her that way that night, I’m certain I’d be off to meet the Lord. I drove toward one of those Halal carts on the way to my home. I ordered a box of rice and chicken with garlic sauce layered on top. I woke her and fed her as she regained herself. She ate almost half of everything while I finished the rest of it. When I arrived home, I opened the front door and then rushed back toward the van, holding her in my arms as I carried her inside. My mom awoke when she heard the door open and she stared at me with folded arms as if I owed an explanation. 

   “You’ve never brought a woman home before,” she said, staring at Sera. She couldn’t tell who it was, for it was still dark and not a light in the house was on. “Did you drunken this girl to take advantage of her? I’ve raised you better than that.”

   “No!” I said, ignoring her. “I would never,” I assured her as I climbed the steps.

   “God is watching you,” she finished as I raced toward my room. 

   I placed her upon my bed, covering her up as she opened her eyes. She began staring at me as I sat beside her. “Jace,” she whispered, grabbing my hand. 

   “Yeah?” I whispered as I knelt to meet her eyes.

   “Thank you for taking care of me,” she replied.

   “Always,” I promised. “You know I can do this for the rest of my life, if you just let me.”

   “You don’t quit do you?” she asked, smiling.

   “Uh, uh,” I muttered.

   “Good night, Jace,” she said, removing her hands from mine as she turned toward her stomach.

   “Good night, Sera,” I said before leaving the room to sleep on the couch. She was the first girl to lie upon my bed. There I was hoping she’d be the last.