she said her name was Paris
off her lips it sounded audacious his mind prattled London Chicago Miami Seattle
she saidlike she was reading his mind her mother knew it was audacious she consciously spitefully chose it After she named me, had my name committed on the live birth certificate, she gave me up for adoption.
I think she didn’t love the man who impregnated her, I am fatherless; but she loved me enough to give me away because she couldn’t raise me by herself.
The story is my birthmother told the doctor, the nurses, appropriate staff, whoever adopted me couldn’t change my name. First, you see, she said, Paris will know they did; and when I find out, and I can, I will, if they change her name I’ll come after them, find them, and cut their heads off.
You tell them that.
It’s not an idle threat.
Paris, obviously, will have been without a mother before; she’ll survive being motherless again.
My birthmother, I never met, although I seem to take after her. I’ve been a handful for my mother and father. They have often told me that I know too much for my own good. I remember them telling me that even as a small girl.
I was a handful.
she took the words out of his mouth but he saidoverwriting it so she wouldnt read his mind again she was a handfulhandfuls happy handfuls My folks didnt tell me until I was a teenager
she mused as she looked at him
maybe she picked up on his blatant thoughthappy handfuls overtly sexual he wouldnt mind playing with her if she wanted If yare reading my mind
spookily she smiled simultaneously
Jesus Im fucked he thoughtthen he thought he heard a thought raised in his head not in his voice Maybe.
she was still smiling
he took her for a drink The Black Ram
Is this your watering hole?
Watering hole I like ithadnt thought of it in your vernacular Yes mebbe now that I think of it my watering hole Have you one
How do you mean?
Bar tavern restaurant his face screwed uppleasant confusion Whadaya mean how do I mean
Good, on your toes, maybe you won’t bore me.
Yare not afraid youll bore me
No, I am not afraid.
her fearlessness got the better of him
he got his arms around herinside of hers and hugged her tightly fullbodied
she hugged him back
Man you feel good
You feel good too.
Whaya having this evening
he got the bartenders attention sealed it hugging Paris Sammy
Sammy Joe called out she began making her way over to where they stood at the bar he liked to taking his drinks at the bar tip Sammy directly then hed take a chair a table or went out back outside where the Ram had a seating area tables under trees hanging lanterns candles on the tables nice melon coaxing confessionallike
What should I have? What would you order me?
Id love ordering you
Sammy this is Paris Paris Sammy
as the women shook hands he realised they were nearly spitting images tall athletic wellbuilt Sammy dark Paris light
Paris, it suits you, what will have tonight?
Ask Joe, he’s ordering.
Sammy laughed she had a big laugh
Ordering? Because he’s here he doesn’t have to breathe a word, I can read his mind.
I can too.
You can? very good. Strange place, huh?
Yes. In a word, strange.
Hey gals Im standing right here
It talks.
Sammy, I like you, I really like you; it talks.
An right off I think I like you too.
You’ll excuse me, I’ll be back
if Sammy hadnt been engaged when they met he would have made a play for her sometimes he thought he should have he heard her marriage lasted a year and a half two by then they were too deep into their friendship sex would have been incestuous
but had she not been engagedmarried had they played she was an ample playgroundlikely an adventurous playmate had they played those two years foreplay would have been fierce climaxes mindblowing
There you go, kids, Joe’s patent chilled double Dirty Bird martini, three olives. Starting a tab, Joe?
Yesplease Sammy Have something on me later this evening awright Ya look parched
I might, I might, mebbe I will.
You’ll have to excuse me again, gotta go; nice meeting you, Paris.
Wonderful meeting you too, Sammy.
She’s quite a girl; very attractive, dark, statuesque.
Got a head on her shoulders too this is a part time gig
When I feel Id like to have a drink if shes not here I don Nobody makes a Dirty Bird like Sammy
It’s the secret ingredient, Joe.
Secret ingredient
Yes. Love.
She loves you.
We go way back
Ah, so four words, not the standard tried-an-true three?
he smiled
Maybe once upon a time My ardor was forged into adore I love her like a sister
That’s incest.
You been listening
You’re funny, I don’t have to listen; you’re an open book, you're not selfconscious, you don’t care, you don’t give a damn.
Paris I definitely wanna get to know you better
I’d like that.
she held her glass up they tapped glasses vodka bright olives greenslightly trembling To what may come.
To unexpectedness
they sipped
Ohshit this is delicious! This is delicious, Joe; Sammy’s a goddess.
Yah shes perfected it but not too loud itll go to her head
So tell me a story.
they were having a third martini
unexpectedly Sammy brought them their second and had one with them under the trees and sky My break, thought we’d get caught up, and I could get to know Paris better. she pointed at Paris I shouldn’t have a reason, but I like you.
I think it has something to do with Joe introducing us; he’s a good calling card.
he chuckled
Im sitting right here
Shh, Joe, Paris is talking. I like her voice, how her mouth moves.
turning her full attention to Paris You strike me as a woman one shouldn’t fuck with.
Sammy, you strike me as a woman one shouldn’t fuck with also.
Mirrored minds . .
. . You want to shut up, Joe; no one’s talking to you. they said it together
Jesus Christ excuse me
Sammy said to Paris You or me?
May I?
Please.
they laughed togetherbright laughter neither covering their mouths
Paris said There’s no excuse for you, Joe.
Ohfunny a couple of comedians
Lemme know when I can come into the water and play Ill sit tightlisten enjoy my delicious drink
Sammy reached overput her hand on top of his Good boy, you’re such a good boy. looking over at Paris Isn’t he a good boy?
Paris said I’m counting on it.
You were saying, Sammy.
So tell me a story.
0749, Twosday, 1 6. 21
1428, Wednesday, 2 6. 21
