The Foreigner

Chapter10

In a few minutes we are back at my house.

-I am starving. - I had heard that smoking weed starves, but I didn't realize it was so much. I open the door of my house- I'll make a sandwich. Do you want one? - I head to the kitchen.

-No. I am fine.

-Are you sure?

-I am. -While I prepare the snack in the kitchen, she stays around sitting at the bench watching me. When it's ready, I split and offer half to her.

-No need. I am fine.

I open a can of soda and take a sip.

-Do you accept at least a soda? -I extend the can toward her.

-Yeah. A soda goes well- she takes the drink from my hand.

It stills possible to hear the noises from the party at her house.

-Your party is still lively. - I speak while I chew.

-Yeah, it is. Show me the book you are writing.

-There's nothing ready yet.

-Show me Mr. Whitman. -she makes charm. -Maybe I can help you.

We climbed the stairs and entered my room. I open my notebook and show her the manuscript. She puts a ring she has just taken from her finger on the desk. She reads, well concentrated.

-I liked the story. -She opines -But you could put a little more adrenaline. Maybe if the character got her lover pregnant.

-Wouldn't it be too dramatic?

-Emotion Mr. Whitman. That's what your story needs. This is how forbidden novels are. -she says that with certainty.

-Maybe it really needs to. -I hate to admit it, but she seems to understand it.

-And I don't think you should push it to write. You should relax a little. Maybe that's what you need right now.

She gets up.

I shake my head positively.

-You understand literature well.

-I understand a little of all the arts. - She stares at me leaning her hands on the desk making me awkward.

-Why are you looking at me this way? -I question her.

-In what way?

-Provocative.

-Am I embarrassing you?

-Yes. A little.

She flashes a teasing smile and approaches. Looking straight into my eyes she kisses me.

I wrap her in my arms. When I realize, we are in bed kissing, she over me. She gets up and quickly takes off her shirt. I ask:

-Let me see your back tattoo. The Phoenix.

-OK. -She turns around. I stroke her back following the contours of the drawing.

-It's beautiful- I kiss her back from the bottom up. She shivers and twitches slightly. That excites me. I keep climbing, kissing her neck and nibbling her ear. She turns to me. We kiss with fervor. I slide my hands down her hips and squeeze her bottom. She starts to unzip my pants and to unbutton it.

-Wait! -I hold her hands when she starts to pull down the zipper.

-What's it?

-I think we'd better stop.

-Why? Any problem with me?

-No. No problem with you. You are absolutely beautiful. - I caress her face.

-So what's the problem?

-I can't go on with this. I feel like I'm with my daughter.

-But I'm not your daughter.- She closes her face.

-I know it. But I... I can't go on. Excuse me.

She dresses her shirt with visible frustration.

-Heidi, please. It's not your fault. -She ignores me, leaves the room abruptly and goes downstairs. I go after her zipping up my pants and belt, which slows my pace.

-Heidi, come back here. Heidi! -I scream. She does not stop. She exits slamming the front door.

When I finally reach the door and open it, she had gone.

I close the door in dismay. Women hate being rejected. I don't know what my relationship with her will be like from now on. If we will have any contact.

I climb the stairs back to my room. I close the notebook. As I walk away, I notice her ring up there on the desk. I catch it. It is silver with a skull inlaid. Maybe that's the only thing left of her in my life.