linxy - part VI
She’s wide awake the morning after the Great
Nut Kicking, frowning at me. I’m about 2/3rds awake, still rubbing my eyes
when I go in to check on her.
"What time is it?" she says immediately.
I can see that the drugs have completely left her system. There’s a clip
to her voice, cold and terse.
"Time for you to hit the bathroom so I can
go get coffee." I put my hands on her ankles. "And can you postpone
the Kung Fu Fighting for a few hours? I’m grumpy in the morning, and if
you fight with me, I’m afraid I may just snap your neck and go find someone
else." She quickly nods in agreement and I clap my hands together. "Good.
Great. We’re off to a good start today. Clean slate." I pat her leg
and unfasten her restraints to walk her to the bathroom.
She sits and I yawn, leaning against the door.
"The doctor comes in later this morning."
I can see her back straighten out just a bit. She’s got a little glimmer
of hope. "He’s one of the bad guys, so pleading your case to him does
nothing. Tell him all about what a mean guy I am, I’ll get extra credit,"
I say, lighting a cigarette.
"Ever think about cancer?" she sneers.
"Every day. It brings the sweet release of
death. No more women bitching at me. Sweet sweet cancer. Can’t come soon
enough."
"That’s all women do is bitch at you?
You must do this a lot," she says. I shrug and turn the water on in the
sink for her to freshen up her face.
"If I get a good buyer I usually only have
to do it once or twice a year. It’s the maintenance that keeps me on my
toes. It’s not like cultivating orchids,
but the devil’s in the details."
"You know who’s buying me?"
I nod. She splashes water on her face and vigorously
scrubs her hands and arms.
"Who is it?"
"A man."
She gives me a look of exasperation that I’d give anything to smack off, but instead I just clip her wrists in front and lay her down flat on the bed, her ankles clasped together, a pillow under her head. I straighten out the blankets and her nightie and head for the door. I need a cup of coffee and a cigarette before dealing with the doctor.