Love in the time of virus
“This place is not licensed is it?” Elise asks. Adding “I am Elise, the shockingly age-appropriate lover from a few months back.
“Elise, how could I forget, you’re my kind,” I answer.
You should know, there’s no sign out they don’t advert, Love, you have to know it’s here.” I answer.
“My Admin told me she’s nearly as old as your scotch, is your little friend?” Elise said sardonically.
“Who? ‘” I am thinking of that night pleasure in am seeing her starkers’ resplendent in her abandon.
“Your eyes are empty and hungry at the same time.” She said breathlessly. It’s oddly compelling like a wolf”
“So, what rings you to this illegal gathering.” I just needed to get out, and per my temperature I am not infected. “
“You look hot to me.” I said, placing my hand on her hand. If I am going to die it might as well be hot, besides we’re masked.
I’ll take it She smiles.
“I like you, but…”
“But? “I ask.
“You won’t like the answer” Elise says intensely looking for a reaction.
“I get that our drinks appear I swipe for 2 more.
“Hit me love” I down the scotch.
“The drinking and debauchery and general affinity for Bukowski might drive a wedge in all reality. I still think you’re fun. Just need reality. “Elise said with a sad smile.
“Reality is a condition caused by lack of alcohol
“How do you know, that not meeting my boyfriend?” Elise asks feigning outrage.
“I don’t, but also don’t care” I answer.
“You’re assuming, that, I want a repeat of the night.?” She asks with a suggestive smile.
“We assume nothing, but it was a fun night,” I answer. Ordering drinks on the iPad provided.
the drinks arrive. I remember, scotch and soda.” I say placing drink in front of her. Long red nails wrap around it I can feel them on my back. I need skin on skin and conversation not over a screen or 2 metres back. I need connexion, and some serious chemistry, spontaneous combustion; human contact.
“Tell me something Elise?” I ask.
You remember my name, bonus points for that, what do you want to know.”
“Anything, something about you.” I answer.
“I am a C level executive I have an MBA and a JD.
“No, personal not resumé, what song saved your life” I ask.
“I need a moment, which song, poem art, saved your life?” she answers.
“My resume’ is simple over educated underemployed, and sussing by what you’re saying a mistake. Stick around and I may answer.” I answer
“I had a bad day today; sorry. I choose the player with a dog. I may have taken advantage of you” Elise says laughing and clapping.
“Thanks?” I answer.
“I did do things I had never done on a first date and I lived in the Bowery. I say.
“Is Bowery different, than here?” Elise asks looking amused.
“Fuck me like you hate me, passed as romance,” I answer.
“At least that’s’ honest” Elise says.
“IK honestly want to be with you”
“Will you fuck me like you hate me?” Elise says with a smile.
“Or like a love you “I answer.
“Don’t say the L-word. She says with a cold edge
“I keep hitting your raw nerves, sorry” I answer
“It’s about me not you, on a certain level we are on the same wavelength.”
“That frightens you, so you break out the classic I’s not you, It’s me. Suppose we don’t have labels, and we don’t call anything we just do what we do come down the rabbit hole with me.” I answer I take her hand . over my shoulder, “I say Kellie close it tip yourself and be generous, I am getting some.”
“You’re sure about this “Elise says laughing.
“Let's go out into the invisible death and see what happens, or what doesn’t. We could always go swimming .”
“Wish you were here-Pink Floyd, and Mad Girl’s Love Song-Plath, Starry night -Van Gogh-your’s are? “ She said.
“You can’t put your arms around a memory-Johnny Thunders, Sonnet 17-Neruda, Convergence-Jackson Pollock “ I answer ” let's go shelter in place.”
