Iquickly tried to remember if I had thoroughly cleaned the hand mirror. Had Iput it back where it was supposed to go? Was it possible she had found thehalf-empty bag of cocaine, taped securely to the top of the medicine cabinet? Ididn't think so, but still, after leading her back to bed, I told her I neededto pee and quickly returned to the bathroom to make sure. Just to be safe. Andas luck would have it, nothing had been touched. The mirror shined pristinelywithout a trace of white and the bag was where I'd left it. I didn't even seehow she could've reached it without a step stool, and what reason would shehave had to find it in the first place, without knowing to look?
Igripped the edge of the porcelain sink and stared deep into the reflection ofmy eyes. I didn't appear strung out and I wasn't high anymore, but I wasn'tthinking clearly. I was rattled from the secrecy, from going back on my pledgeto remain forever sober. But ... it had done the job, hadn't it? I'd gottenmyself through until Andy got back. I had gotten a good night’s sleep, and withthat refreshed burst of energy, I had satisfied her thoroughly with a handfulof orgasms that had left her shaking and gasping for air. So, if a one-off hitof coke could accomplish that, then where was the harm, really? And why thehell did I feel so guilty about it?
“Chill,”I muttered through gritted teeth. “It's all good, man. Just chill.”
Buteven though I'd given the order, I couldn't chill, as I went back to thebedroom to find Andy wide awake and waiting. I saw the trepidation in her eyesand her bitten bottom lip. I hated to admit it, but I was scared. She knewsomething, or at the very least sensed something, and I was terrified thatthis, who we were at this very moment, was the beginning of the end.
***
“Whyare you so nervous?” she asked, as I stomped on the half-smoked cigarette.
“I'mnot nervous,” I insisted, grinding my heel against the asphalt.
“Vinnie,”she cocked her head, with a knowing glint in her eye, “that's the third timeyou've smoked since we got off the train.”
“Smoking'sgot nothin' to do with my nerves,” I said, telling only half of the truth. “Andbesides, you'd be smoking too if you were about to willingly jump into thelion's den.”
Ipeered up the steps to the large, wrap-around porch. The big and beautifulstained glass doors were a gorgeous disguise for this lair of mean-spirited,judgmental women and a guy who couldn't wrap his head around the concept of nothaving a drink.
“Oh,stop,” Andy hissed. “Come on, we gotta get inside. Oh, and pick that up,” shepointed at the crushed cigarette butt, “before my dad sees it.”
Sighing,I bent over and snatched it up, stuffing it into the pocket of my slacks.
“Wedo have garbage cans, you know,” Andy said, her tone edging on a giggle.
Ifeigned a gasp, clapping a hand over my chest. “Garbage cans? Really? I'venever seen one of those before!”
Shegroaned, shaking her head as she took my hand. “Come on.”
“WhereI come from, we just dump our trash in the streets,” I went on, forcing an airof amazement. I gripped her hand with both of mine and jumped excitedly. “Tellme, miss, do you have indoor plumbing, too? Golly, it sure would be swell touse a toilet for the first time!”
“Oh,my God,” Andy grumbled, her lips twitching. “I hate you.”
Ilaughed, allowing her to lead me up the steps to that big, solid, mahoganydoor. “No, you don't. You fuckin' love me.”
“Yeah,well,” she dug her keys from her purse, “I'm starting to wonder why.”
“Oh,I know why,” I said coyly, and when she looked up at me expectantly, I added,“It's the earth-shattering orgasms, isn't it?”
Andyquickly glanced toward the door, eyes wide at the muffled sounds of voices inside.“Vinnie, they'll hear you—”
“Comeon, sweetheart,” I said, wrapping an arm around her waist. “You're tellin' meyou don't want your family to know about my magic cock?”
Andof course, that was the moment her mother threw open the door, in a dress thatI would guess cost more than my rent. “So nice to see you again, Vinnie,” shesnickered, offering a pinched smile. “And thank you for wearing pants. Some ofus have no interest in seeing your, how did you put it?”
“Magiccock,” Andy's father muttered from just inside the door, and if I could'veceased to exist in that moment, I would've been grateful.
“Sorryabout that,” I muttered, smiling sheepishly.
“Ah,it's fine, relax,” her dad said, laughing and offering a hand. I accepted andwe shook for a brief moment, before he waved into the house. “Come in, comein.”
Andy'smother stepped out of the way, allowing us entrance. I noticed that she hadn'tlaughed or smiled, and while I felt like I was in her father's good graces, Iknew I was officially on her shit list. I didn't expect to ever be off of it,and that hurt.
“Happyanniversary,” I said to them, standing awkwardly in the foyer, while Andyabandoned me to hurry off toward the kitchen. I watched the fabric of her flowingdress trail behind her and silently begged her to come back before her motherhad a chance to castrate me.
“Thankyou,” she replied, standing tall.
“So,forty years, huh? That's great.”
