It Had Been Years (47 page)

She talked about his family and ask about so and so whom she had met at the game, he answered but didn’t elaborate in his usual manner.  Here she was again, in a place not so different form where she came trying to forget who she once was and maybe even a little bit of who she had recently been and the man whose company she kept seemed to be inexplicable withdrawing. 

Just then as the waiter put down the main course and stepped away he broke his silence.  His eye contact had been steady even though his words were few.  “I need to tell you something” as the Husker began her heart sank into her throat as the husker continued “I did something yesterday”.  Yesterday she thought how could he have possibly done something yesterday the thought of another woman crossed her mind, how could she be so stupid.  How could she have not seen, but she couldn’t have he was so good at keeping her from others why would she think she was the only one.  “I hated to keep it a secret, but now it’s ok for you to know.” 

Donna was puzzled she was lost perhaps it wasn’t another woman but if it wasn’t then what could it be, what could be causing him such trepidation and guilt.  She looked on wondering what could be coming next “so I might as well say it” pausing not sure how to tell her “I had Christy resign.” Quickly adding
“ I
made sure she had another job, more money but not part of my staff.” 

Donna between bites of swordfish inquired “why?”  The answer was not one she expected as the Husker nervously said “because I love you.”  Somewhere in the dimly lit restaurant over two partially eaten pieces of cooked fish Donna realized she was not a poor little country whore anymore, and even if she was it didn’t matter because after all of the years of searching for someone, a man told her he loved her and for once there was no other reason or motive other than the fact that he really meant it.

By mid morning Saturday Vincent had left his usual band of hoodlums and Steve behind at the gym making his way toward Deb’s hotel when his phone rang. 

“Did I tell you?”
Nadrea
asked expecting Vincent to know instantly what she was talking about. 

He replies “Did you tell me what?” 

“About today?
  Are you coming?” 

Vincent was lost in the conversation barely 12 words in, “Nod, what the
fuck are
you talking about?” 

She huffed audibly into the phone, “I’m having an afternoon party at my place for some friends, and a dinner.”  

“No you didn’t tell me, specifically.”  Vincent responded.  “You just said WE had plans Saturday night.” 

“It’s in the afternoon really around four ‘til about 9:30. You can still make it, right?” 

She could feel Vincent rolling his eyes “I can but I was going to have an early dinner with that friend of mine who is moving back to town.”  

Nadrea
annoyed asked “Are they ugly?” 

Vincent wondered why she would ask but simply said “No.” 

Finally,
Nadrea
conceded wanting the best possible party she could “Bring them! The dress is erotic chic. I’ve got to go the band is arriving and the caterer’s are already,
”  taking
the phone away from her ear yells “Fucking things up!” 

The call ended uneventfully and Vincent sat down with Deb who was clad in shorts and a sweat shirt in the hotel restaurant. Comfortable clothes for a long day of apartment hunting, something that would the fit need was not so hard to find, but something that fit the need and appealed to Deb was another story completely. Somewhere along the way and being mistaken for a couple Vincent brought up the party, warning Deb that it might be a little
be
wild.  Stunned by his perception of her intolerance replied with “Let’s see, I’m an artist, I lived in San Fran and I still hang out with you, which is about as perverted as it can get.” 

Vincent cautioned her, “Ok, but just to warn you she’s kind of a bitch.”

Deb laughed at him “Oh, she’s you’re kind of girl.  Why
am I
not surprised.”

Nadrea
fretted the entire day, fighting with the staff, setting up and moving the bar, stalking the valets to make sure they would show up on time and fit the descriptions of who she was looking for.  All of the windows were covered and the security staff manned the door, large foreboding men dressed all in black contrasted Mira who would act as the hostess until the last guests arrived and were allowed in.  The band set up fog and lights throughout the third floor, lounges on the second and food on the first with two bar set ups on each level and the servants stairs being put to good use as the staff would soon be carrying food and restocking supplies though out the next five hours.  The time finally arrived and
Nadrea
began to prepare flanked by her minions both old
an
new who were there to “help out” before the party she chose a white suit with no blouse exposing her in a deep plunging V from neck line to waist line.  Her hair was down and following its natural lines, her throat adorned with a costume diamond chocker nearly an inch wide and blindingly brilliant and a matching earrings and bracelet.  

Her helpers slipped into their party clothes and the band soon began to play their chords grinding away.  The 13 Bastard Souls was actually a 5 piece sonic assault, churning out a symphony of deep growling tones each more disturbing than the last.  They were often banned from clubs and bars for the sexual violence contained in their lyrics the final sound check  60 minutes before the other guest would start to arrive was evidence as to why.  An over powering drummer kept time with his tattooed arms as the muscle bound singer with Revlon number 5 black hair towered over his band mates and screamed melodically into the microphone.

“Oh just kill me cause I’m ranting once again

and
can’t you cure me will this nightmare never end

beat
me harder I can’t feel things any more

bloody
and battered but stronger than before

it’s
complicated but I wish I could explain

some
where some time ago I opened up my veins,

and
lying there feeling death was getting close,

I saw god laughing and I knew life was just a joke.”

A young waitress watched in morbid horror as he sang flashing wrists that had been horrifically slashed open, a testament to the truth of his words, no line between his art and his reality.  His manner cold his words piecing as he
questioned  “
if I were Satan where would I be?”  Over and over again, not seeming like he was singing the words but rather that he was pondering the answer. The song continues and
Nadrea
,
and
Steph
soon sang along, mouthing the words back to him.

             
“I’m not paranoid I am just depressed

             
this
thing is so mundane that I’ve become obsessed

             
Hate you forever but it doesn’t feel that long

             
Once mistook this for love but I couldn’t be more wrong

             
Touch me in a way I never thought you could

             
And hurt me in a way I never thought you would,

Oh no my poor tortured soul

And I think that I’ve finally lost control”

As the Singer,
Nadrea
and her minions gather to watch all screamed together.

“If I was Satan, where would I be?

If I was Satan, where would I be?

If I was Satan, I wouldn’t be me.

If I was Satan what would I be?”

Their mood mirroring his torment and rage, the twisted visions of a man who one laid dying in a pool of his own blood, from wounds he had inflicted on himself in a failed attempt to ease the torment
that was his unfulfilled life.  Soon the stage drew silent as warm up concluded.

Across town Vincent was slipping into his leather pants and for the second time in two nights
dawning
his combat boots and soon to head out driving with reckless abandon to the radio to gather Deb up for the event.  She had a short skirt and simple but somehow playful blouse paired with a low set of heels looking more like a sultry doctors wife at the country club than the other whores both (male and female) who would be in attendance. 

Vincent knowing
Nadrea’s
timeliness assumed as usual things would not start when scheduled and chose to stop with Deb at the bar for a few pre-party gulps.  Steve and Christy were just finishing a late lunch Vincent made himself at home introducing Deb to Christy who despite her recent experiences was as judgmental and shallow as ever, but as Deb stepped away for a moment informed Vincent “I like her more than the bitch you were seeing.”  Vincent laughed playing
back ,
“Actually we’re on our way to a party at the bitches house”  Christy was not sure what to say, Steve thought the entire situation was funny.

Around five the action began in earnest at
Nadrea’s
as the first of the remaining 45 of her closest friends began to arrive, missing was the one who went to the middle of nowhere but other than
Donna’s
absence
Nadrea
expected it to a wonderful evening leading into a wonderful night.  See through and satin seemed to be the ladies choice with the occasional latex or
lycra
piece of adornment.  
Nadrea
drank her black Vodka Martini’s mingling from floor to floor like the perfect little
hostess,
Tiff opted for a black lace cat suit and simple black g string, flaunting her young and curvy figure, toying with the boys for fun as she passed. 
Steph
looked like she fell out
of  the
purple one’s tribute to a precious stone and the orient.  As the band played on, pushing their madness to new heights the guests indulges in sins that only
Nadrea
would provide at a private party, the food exotic and exquisite like puffed pastries filled with lobster chunks and brie,
Andouille
sausage torts to dies for. 

Had the INS shown up the entire event would have been suspect not because of the nationality of the staff but the in human work conditions as three sushi chefs worked in the kitchen to keep up with the demand, their pace more akin to a sweat shop with a tyrant of an owner than the artful creation of sushi, all of the others from the Valet to the bar tenders worked at a brutal pace to keep everything flowing perfectly.

Vincent and Deb were greeted at the door by Mira, watching them flow effortlessly from the car to the stairs, she watched Deb with great interest her look not quite where one would expect it to be for such an event.  Mira greeted Vincent with a kiss on the lips.  “You are both so beautiful.
Vincent, who is your friend?”
 

He smiled and kissed Mira back “Mira I’d like you to meet one of my oldest friends Deb.” 

Mira looking at Deb stated, “He’s so beautiful, but you’d think by now he know not to use woman and old in the same sentence as unless he meant it as an insult.” 

Deb smiled replying “And Vincent once again proves the really sexy ones are never quite bright enough.” 

Vincent toyed back “Fine ladies be that way.  I’ll leave each of you to your own devices, and by that I mean the
kind that take
batteries.” 

Mira flirted mercilessly “Fine, but I was just thinking tonight might be the night that I finally decide to seduce you.  So go inside and have a drink I’ll come for you in a bit.” 
Her grin wicked and tempting.
  The pair crossed the threshold into the house the 13 Bastard Souls singing in unison

“I feel a little bit strange, I feel a little bit scorned