Chapter 2

CHRISTINE ALEXANDRE'S APARTMENT was on Thompson Street. It had only one window and that faced on the alley in back. Fire escapes and tenement windows.

Earl Dreggs stood at the window, looking out. He was smoking and watching the rain which fell against the glass. Dingy alley views in the rain always gave Dreggs butterflies and made him want coffee. How strange that is, he thought.

Sebastian was in the other room, stretched out on the couch. He wore only slacks, and Christine was sitting beside him, playing with the black hair on his chest.

"What an animal you are," she said.

Sebastian grunted.

"I like it," Christine said. "It's comfortable and warm. Better than pajamas."

"You have a filthy mind," Wolff said.

"Put on a record," he said. "Play that Plotnik side. It reminds me of our first evening of love."

Chris put on the record. She came back and sat beside Sebastian again. She thought for a moment, and then said, "Sebastian ... how long will Earl be staying here?"

Wolff grunted.

"He's nice enough, and all. But I would rather live with you alone. I don't like having him around all the while. Wouldn't you rather be alone with me?"

"Yeah. I would. But what the hell can I do? The guy's broke and he's my friend. I can't very well kick him out."

"Well, can't he get any money?"

"I don't know," Wolff said.

He frowned. "I should think you would be happy to have two men to take care of you."

"I only want you," Chris said.

"I've been thinking about giving you to Earl," he said.

Chris looked at Wolff. "I hope," she said, "that you are not serious."

"I was."

"No, Sebastian. I don't want him. Or anyone. You wouldn't want me to make love to another man if you loved me."

"Why? It isn't taking anything away from me. Only if I were afraid you might prefer him, and you wouldn't."

"Well, I don't want him."

"Suppose I say you've got to?"

"Please, Sebastian." There was the beginning of tears in her dark eyes.

"Would you? If I said you had to?" "Please."

Wolff grinned. He said, "Earl, come here."

Dreggs came into the room. Wolff said, "My girl doesn't want you. I said it was all right if you copped, but she said no. Didn't want you to think I was holding out on you."

Dreggs looked at the girl. She had her head down, and he could tell she was ready to cry. He wanted to say that it was all right and that she needn't worry. But he wanted her. He stood and looked and didn't speak.

"Well?" Sebastian asked. "Going to convince her?" "With you here?"

"Why not? It's my girl."

"Please," Chris said. She turned to Earl. "It's not that I don't like you. You're very nice. But I don't want to sleep with everyone. I wouldn't feel right, no matter what you two think of it."

Earl ran his tongue over his lips. They were very dry. He said, That's okay, Chris. I don't care."

Sebastian Wolff laughed.

"Damn it," said Dreggs. He took his coat from the chair where it had been tossed. Putting it on, he could feel Wolff watching him with that halkeyed stare. He crossed the room and went out the door. "I'll see you later," he said.

Wolff's laugh followed him down the stairs.

"I wish you hadn't done that," Christine said. Wolff stroked her hair. "Really, Sebastian. I feel so whorish."

"My innocent little baby," Wolff said. "It's wrong."

"Is it wrong to have me?"

"I love you. It's wrong, maybe, but I don't care."

"Hypocrite," said Wolff. "I would have held your hand while you made it with him."

She pulled away. Wolff swung his feet off the bed and sat up. Chris was crying. He went over to her.

"Goddamn little fool," he said.

She rested her head against his chest. "I love you," she said.

"I love you," he answered, pulling her head up. "And I'm glad you didn't want Earl."

Christine smiled. She wiped the tears from her cheeks, and put both arms around Sebastian. "I'm glad," she said. "I felt so bad about it. I didn't want him."

Sebastian kissed her.

The rain beat at the window on a gray New York night.

Earl Dreggs pulled his collar up against the rain, and walked aimlessly through the streets. He was angry with Wolff, but could not say exactly why. He wished that he had made an effort for Christine, yet felt that he had done the only thing possible. She obviously didn't want him. If only Wolff had gone out, but he had stayed there.

And laughed.

Well, goddamn it, he thought, I just can't figure out Sebastian Wolff. I wonder if he really-likes that girl? Seems to. But you just can't tell with that bastard.

Dreggs was charmed by Christine. Not so much sensually as personally. That morning, looking at her over a cup of coffee, he had thought her the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He liked her as well as wanted her. They had talked about New York and about Boston, where she was from. Bland breakfast conversation, and yet he had thought it interesting. The way she talked.

Later, when Wolff had led her into the bedroom, she had smiled. And Dreggs had listened, although he didn't want to, and heard the bed squeak and heard her little gasps. Heard Sebastian Wolff laugh when it was over.

And snapped his pipe stem in his teeth.

Earl turned into the park and started across, heading for a bar on University Place. He had three dollars left and intended to spend it. After that he didn't know what he would do. But he did not want to return to Christine's.

There was a girl in front of Dreggs, walking a dog. She was wearing a loose raincoat and he could not tell much what she looked like from behind. But the dog was beautiful. A Doberman. Earl walked faster and passed, admiring the animal.

"Earl Dreggs," said the girl.

Startled, he looked at her. And recognized her instantly.

"Hello, Ginny," he said.

"I'll be damned," she said, in a husky voice. "What are you doing in New York?"

"Looking for you," Dreggs told her, stealing a line from Sebastian.

"Great. Let's have a beer, huh? Talk about old times," she said.

"Fine," said Earl.

They walked through the park and down to the bar where Earl had been heading. Everyone gave the dog a wide berth, and this made Earl feel secure for some reason. He was also very happy. A moment before loneliness and despair had filled him, but meeting someone whom he knew changed that completely.

And Ginny was a good looking woman.

She was a dark Latin type with a nice face and a beautiful body, the type that most-likely would be fat at thirty but was perfect at twenty-one. As she walked beside him, Earl watched the outline of her form beneath the loose raincoat; even the coat could not hide her soft fullness. He wished that he had Wolff's confidence, wanting very much to put his arm around her.

But, he thought, there is time.

"Where shall we sit?" Earl asked.

"Anywhere."

"Let's grab a table in back," he said, and they went past the bar. The dog curled contentedly beside Ginny as she sat. Earl sat opposite her. He ordered two beers.

"Beautiful dog," he said. "Is he friendly?"

"Until someone touches me."

"You can't be touched, huh?"

She smiled. "I can put the dog out. When I want."

Earl pursed his lips. "Where do you live?" he asked.

"Near here. I'm working in an office. Boring as hell but it feeds me. You live here too?"

Dreggs shook his head and took a drink. Then he said, "As a matter-of-fact I'm living on a girl's couch right now. Have been for three days. I'm broke."

"Her couch? Really, Earl, have you lost your charm?"

"Sebastian Wolff has the charm."

"Sebastian?" she asked. "Is he here?"

Earl felt himself wince. He hoped that Ginny hadn't noticed his grimace, but he had seen the look in her eyes when she heard Wolff s name. Ginny had known both men two years before in Albany. She had been a college student and Earl had met her first; he liked her very much, and she had liked him. Then Sebastian met her.

"Still feel that way, huh," he said. "What way?" "About Sebastian."

She shrugged. "It's been a long time. I'd forgotten about him, it was just the surprise of hearing his name." She smiled. "You were ... are ... much nicer than Sebastian. I was a fool."

"I thought so. He doesn't matter now. I'm very glad to see you again, Ginny," Earl told her. "I really am very glad."

"And I am glad to see you, too. New York is a lonely place for strangers, and I hope you will be around for a while. Will you?"

"No money. And I can't make the couch scene much longer. I like Wolff, he's a friend, he's done a lot for me. But he can be a bastard."

"Let's forget Wolff for now," Ginny said. "I have forgotten him." She thought, no one forgets Sebastian Wolff. I may hate him, but no one forgets him.

"Fine," said Earl. He finished his beer and went to the bar for two more. Coming back, he sat on the same side as Ginny, close to her. She smiled.

"I can lend you some money," she said.

"No. I can't take money from you." "Just a loan."

"No. I ... do you live alone?" "One roommate. Why?"

"I would like to stay with you. If I could. There doesn't have to be anything between us, just a place to stay."

"If there were nothing, I would feel insulted," she said, smiling. "I wouldn't mind, Earl, but my roommate. Another small town girl."

"Yeah. Silly idea, anyway."

"No. A good idea. Please let me lend you a few dollars. Until you can get a job. No hassle for me."

He didn't answer. She put a hand on his arm, and squeezed. Earl had liked this girl very much, and he realized that he still did. "You can stay tonight, if you like," she told him.

"I would like that. No trouble for you?"

"No, it's fine. Ellen has her boyfriend stay sometimes. He's from upstate, stays when he comes to see her. It's just the permanent arrangement that she might not like."

"Okay," Earl said. "Want another beer?"

"Please," she said.

They spent an hour. Talking. Ginny was getting a little drunk, she clung to Earl's arm and looked up in his face. She said, "Damn it, it is good to see you. I feel I can really talk to you, you understand."

"Yeah, I understand," Earl said. He felt he was the soberest man alive.

"Let's go," Ginny said

"Another bar?"

"Let's go to my place. I've decided you can stay there as long as you like, the hell with Ellen."

"You're drunk."

"Yes. It makes me more truthful. I was a fool in Albany. I don't want to let you go again."

Earl nodded. He followed her out, watching her hips sway. He, too, was sorry that he had lost her two years before. And vaguely angry with Wolff. But it was hard to blame Wolff, really, it was easier to blame Ginny. Wolff hadn't really tried, had just failed to refuse, which was how Sebastian was.

Earl was determined that he would not give Wolff the chance again.

It was two blocks uptown to Ginny's. The rain was coming down harder now, and they hurried behind the dog. Dreggs had his arm around her, his hand clinging to her hip. He thought, how beautiful she is. And she will be mine.

The apartment was a fourth floor walk-up. Ginny went in first and turned on the lights. "Come on in," she said.

Dreggs entered, took off his soaked raincoat. Ginny went to the kitchen and put on coffee. 'My roommate is out," she called. 'And your pants are wet, too."

"But I have nothing else to put on," Earl said, only half poking. Ginny had been quite an innocent girl the first time around.

She laughed.

When she came back into the room she was wearing a robe. Her breasts pressed against the silky material, and it was obvious that her underwear must have been wet too. She handed Earl a cup and sat on the couch, crossing her legs. Earl could see her bare thigh, smooth and tanned. The cup shook slightly in his hand.

"I don't want you catching cold," she said. "It's no fun to have a man in bed and have to doctor him."

"Ginny..." Earl started. She reached out and unfastened his belt, smiling up at him.

"I've grown up, Earl," she said. "And drinking always did make me passionate."

Dreggs stepped out of his pants. He stood in front of Ginny, his excitement evident. He felt embarrassed, but he also felt desire.

Ginny said, "Take the rest off." He hesitated and she reached forward again, sliding his underwear down. He took his shirt off, her eyes never leaving his body, and sat down beside her.

He said, "I've missed you, Ginny."

She leaned over and kissed him, letting the robe fall open. Her breasts pressed against his chest, little points of fire. Earl moved his hand on her thigh, a circular upward motion. Their lips parted, came together again, working savagely upon each other. Her tongue was in his mouth. Ginny took his hand in her own and pressed against herself.

"Touch me ... there," she said.

He moved forward, forcing her back, and followed. His hand moved on her, his lips ground on hers. She was heaving, twisting; her legs encircled Earl's waist, she pushed hard against him.

"Now," she said, "now!"

Earl thrust himself to her and she met him violently, again and again.

"Faster, faster," she breathed. Her legs scissored his body, pulling him to her, pushing him back.

Faster and faster Earl moved, panting, blinded by a passion which rocked the room and carry them to a tremor which seemed to rock the world. And brought it down with an earthquake. And a sigh.

"Baby," said Ginny, lying on her stomach and resting her head on her arms, "you are wonderful."

Earl was dressing. He smiled at her, naked on the bed.

"I don't ever want you to go away. Stay right here in bed."

"Nice thought," he said. "Tempting. You are so very beautiful." He crossed over and kissed her; slapped her bare bottom.

"I'll get my suitcase from Chris' and come back."

"Yes, come right back. I can't wait long."

"At this rate, I don't know how long I can keep you happy," Earl said, pursing his lips.

"You'll keep me happy, all right,"-Ginny said. "You're the first man I've had since Sebastian, that's the truth. And you'll be the last. But I want you all the time. Ten times a day."

"Ten? When will I have time to earn our living?"

"You're earning it, right here."

"We've got to eat," he said.

"That too," she said.

This Dreggs thought, is not the girl I once knew.

But she is beautiful and she loves me, and I will be happy with her. But I wonder if she is the product of knowing Sebastian Wolff?

He kissed her once more, and left.

Dreggs walked to Christine's. It was early morning, and the rain had stopped during the night. But the sky was still clouded, and the streets were wet. Even his cigarette smoke hung damply around him.

He wondered what Wolff would say. Would he be interested, even? Or would he laugh at Earl for taking his cast-off? Better that than a desire to see Ginny again. But he knew well that to Sebastian Wolff, another man's woman was the most desirable of all. He considered not mentioning her at all, but thought how silly, I am a man too, why do I have this childish dread of Sebastian? And Ginny does not want him, I'm sure of that. He treated her too badly.

When he got there, Wolff was reading the morning paper. Earl said, "Hello."

"Well," said Wolff, "the prodigal son. I trust you didn't fall into evil ways last night. I don't like you to be sinful."

"Coffee?" Christine asked. She was very cheerful. Glad I was gone, thought Dreggs. He sat next to Wolff.

"I met an old friend of ours," he said. "Oh."

"Ginny. From Albany."

"Well, damn. She living here?"

"Yes. I stayed with her. She wants me to move in, and I'm going to. Give you and Chris a little privacy."

"Still as good as ever?"

"What?"

"In bed."

Earl took a swig of coffee. "I don't know. She's changed. I like, her."

"What's she doing?"

"Working."

"Ginny," said Wolff, "always did work." Earl shrugged.

"Give me the address, in case I want to get in touch with you," Wolff said. Dreggs wrote it out, not wanting to but not knowing how to refuse. He handed it to Wolff, who put it in his pocket without a glance.

"I like her, Sebastian," Earl said.

Wolff was reading the newspaper.

Earl got his suitcase and his shaving gear. Chris said, "We'll see you, Earl. Bring your girl over sometime."

"Yes, do that," said Wolff.

"Yes, goodbye," Dreggs said, and left. He was going down the stairs when Wolff came after him.

"Earl, I'm getting bored here. Thinking about making Florida."

"With Chris?"

A tolerant smile. "Earl," said Sebastian, "there are girls in Florida."

"She's a nice girl."

"Well, yes. Are you coming with me?" "I don't know. Ginny...." "Are you serious about her?" 'I think so."

Wolff laughed. He said, "Well, I'll let you know when I'm leaving. If the thrill has worn off, you can come."

Earl nodded. He turned and continued down the stairs. Sebastian went back up, whistling My Old Flame.

What a bastard Sebastian Wolff is, thought Dreggs. All the way back to Ginny's he thought it.

Christine said, "Who was Ginny?"

"A former love," Wolff told her.

"Did you like her better than me?"

"I never liked anyone better than you," Sebastian said. "I may even marry you."

"I don't want to get married. Not yet."

"If I said we would, you know we would. You can't resist me, and want nothing more than having me. Now don't deny the obvious."

"I suppose you are right," Chris said. "But don't be too sure." She thought, he is so right, I would marry him today. But I doubt that it would work out, it would probably ruin my life and he would leave me soon enough. With a baby, most-likely. Responsibility would scare Sebastian, I think. But still I would marry him.

"Am I better in bed?" she asked.

"Hum-m-m?" He was reading.

"Than Ginny? Am I?"

"I suppose so. You're a bit too thin though, she's got weight on you."

"Well, I hope Earl keeps her happy. I don't want her after you."

"Baby," said Sebastian, "I am so faithful to you. So very faithful. I want no other women at all."

"Do you mean that? Or are you just laughing at me when you say it?" she asked. "I don't want you to laugh at me."

"I want no other women," he said.

"I hope not, said Chris, "You could really hang me up, Sebastian. You could bolix me up."

Wolff folded the paper. He frowned at Chris and she looked at his eyes, a questioning look. She wanted to know just what he thought, but knew that he wouldn't say. He had never been definite.

But he felt sorry for her then, just for a second and just a little, because her eyes were so dark and her skin was so white and she looked so young. That is why he felt sorry, and he said, "Chris, I like you. Watch yourself, will you? Don't get hurt."

She said, "Do you mean ... is it just something that will end? I mean us, this thing with us?"

He shrugged.

"I want to know. Please, what should I do? I'll do anything for you!"

"Just keep it light," said Sebastian Wolff.