Chapter 7

"WHO IN HELL IS THAT?" someone asked.

The four men watched as Sebastian and Maryanne went out the door, fie leading her by the hand. Bob Kelly laughed, but the other three were obviously angry.

"We could have all had her," said one.

"Who in hell is he?"

Kelly said, "Name's Sebastian Wolff ... isn't that a fine name? I love that name."

"What's he doing here? Crash the party?"

Kelly shook his head. "He came with Chris Alexandre. She mentioned something about being engaged. I don't know how true it is." He looked around the room, spotted Chris by the door. "She's still here. Wolff must have been enchanted by the charms of our Maryanne."

"She went willing enough."

"Maryanne is always willing," Kelly said.

Everyone had paired off, and quite a few had left. Several had fallen asleep, including Earl Dreggs. His head was in Jeannie's lap, she was stroking his hair and finishing a quart of beer.

"It looks like I'm left alone in my own home," Kelly said. "Unless I can persuade Chris that she should avenge her fianc‚'s infidelity."

"There's four of us," another man added.

Kelly pursed his lips, and rumpled his hair. He said, "Christine never used to be the type for that. But ... a year in New York ... may have changed things a bit. Nothing ventured, nothing gained." He shrugged at the others, and crossed the room.

"Chris," he said, kneeling by her.

She didn't stir. Christine had drunk more alcohol than ever before in her life, and she was very drunk. Kelly shook her, and still got no response. She sank back to the floor.

He looked at her, frowning. Bob Kelly liked Christine, had known her for years. He did not want to hurt her, and he knew that she was not the promiscuous type. But he too was quite drunk. And his friends were standing around, waiting. And most of all, Christine's finance had taken Maryanne away with him. Bob shook his head.

"What the hell," he said.

Kelly lifted Chris and carried her into the bedroom. The others started to follow.

"Wait up a few minutes. I'll call you," he said, and kicked the door shut behind him.

He placed Christine gently on the bed, and sat beside her.

"Wake up," he said.

She started to stir. He cuffed her cheek lightly a few times, and her eyes flickered open. She said, "Sebastian?" trying to make out the figure above her. Kelly kissed her on the neck, then kissed her on the lips. He said, "It's all right."

"Who are you," she said, starting to rise. The room was very dark, and Christine could see only shadows.

"It's all right," he said again, "It's Bob Kelly."

"Oh, Bob ... I didn't recognize you. Why are we here and where is Sebastian. Did I pass out?"

He kissed her again, and Christine didn't resist. They were old friends, and she would have felt foolish telling him to stop. He kissed her on the lips. When he pulled away, she could hear his breathing. It was too heavy, she thought, for old friends.

"Where is Sebastian?" she asked.

"Gone," said Kelly, moving his lips to hers again.

"Don't, Bob, said Christine. "What do you mean gone? Where has he gone?"

"Away. Kiss me."

"No. Please Bob ... what are you trying to do?"

"Kiss you. That's all. You are so lovely, I just want to kiss you. Let me do it and I'll be happy."

Christine's head ached, and she was dizzy. Bob kissed her on the mouth, and she let him, although she didn't return the effort. She was still foggy from the alcohol.

"Please. Tell me what is going on," she said.

"Your man left. With Maryanne. He left you on the floor, didn't give a damn what happened to you. That's what happened. Three guys almost raped you before I carried you in here. That's how much he cares about you, the bastard."

"But. . . where did he go? When is he coming back?"

"Never. They've gone away together, he's not coming back. Kiss me, Christine."

"No, Bob. Don't. I don't believe it."

"Maryanne was my girl. How do you think I felt watching them go. Knowing they were going to bed. You're lucky you were asleep. It was easier on you that way."

Christine started to get up. Kelly forced her back, very gently, and kissed her neck. "My girl. . . your man. That leaves you and me together, I guess. You and me, Christine. I'll never leave you. The goddamn fool, you're so lovely. Now kiss me."

She started to rise again. Kelly ran one hand through her hair, taking a handful, and pulled her back to the bed. She was sobbing, half drunk, hall frightened. Very heartbroken.

"Right now they are in bed together," Kelly said, whispering the words, breathing hot breath in her ear. "In bed. Sebastian and Maryanne. And they have taken their clothes off. They're naked and holding each other. He's telling her that he loves her more than anyone, and telling her that he will marry her."

"No..." said Christine. She could barely comprehend what had happened, what was happening. Her mind was still muddled. She lay back, eyes shut, trying to think.

Kelly pressed his lips on hers, long and warm. His tongue moved in her mouth. His arms held her, comforted her. She wanted to be held and to be comforted.

She kissed him back.

"Yes," he whispered.

Kelly's hands moved on her, stroking her sides. Then her legs.

Her thighs.

She scarcely felt his touch, clinging to him in the dark, crying now in almost hysterical sobs. He pressed himself to her, whispering in her ear, kissing her.

"I'll be so good to you," he whispered, "I'll never leave you. Don't cry, Chris, I'm here. I'll love you so nicely, easily. I won't ever hurt you, Baby. Don't cry, relax."

Christine became fully aware of his touch. She stiffened, but did not move. His hand caressed her, very slowly.

"Bob ... just hold me."

"I am, Chris," he whispered.

"I mean ... just hold me. Don't do that, please. I don't want that, I just want to have you close."

"Baby, I must. It's you and me now, just us. Damn the whole world, just you and me, alone. Don't stop me. It feels so good. Doesn't it? You want me to, don't you?"

She didn't answer. Neither did she move. Kelly's hand stroked her once more, and this time she relaxed. He kissed her, grinding his lips to hers, his body to her. She pressed back, wanting to be as close as she could to him. She did not love him. He was a source of comfort, of security.

Of warmth.

"This is so good. Isn't it so good," he said, very softly.

"Oh, yes," she said. "Yes, it is good. Don't stop, Bob. It feels so good."

"I'll never stop, Baby," he said, "I'll love you forever."

"Yes," she said.

In the next room, three men waited impatiently at the door. Their names were Gus, Pete and Bill. All were drunk, and none had a woman. Gus had the last bottle of beer, which he downed. A trickle ran to his chin, and wet his full red beard.

Gus said, "It's taking Bob a long time with her. I hope he isn't going to cut us out."

"No, he's okay. Christ, man, it takes a while to convince a chick to do four guys."

"Yeah, I suppose," said Gus, tipping the empty bottle over his lips. A few last drops fell into his mouth.

Earl Dreggs had awakened. He was kissing Jeannie. She said, "You're too drunk. I really got stuck with a beauty. I ought to go do the crowd by the door."

"I'm never too drunk," said Earl.

Jeannie laughed, throwing back her head. "Prove it," she said.

Dreggs asked, "Where? Just show me where."

"Right here," she said.

"In front of everyone?"

"They've all seen me before. Are you ashamed?"

Earl shook his head, clearing it. Jeannie shook heis, laughing harder, her red hair catching the light in little sparks. She said, "Don't be afraid, Earl honey, Boston is a civilized place."

He moved to her.

Bob Kelly opened the door. He was naked, his body showing white in the light, outlined against the dark bedroom. The three men turned to him, eyebrows up.

Kelly grinned. Slightly.

He said, "Come in. Take your clothes off. But be quiet and take it easy. And don't hurt her, she's a nice chick."

The three went in, and Kelly shut the door.

"I'm first," Gus said, taking his pants off.

"Okay, I don't care. But be quiet."

Gus stepped to the bed. Christine was lying there. She was naked. He could barely make out her form in the dark. She lay very still, on her back, eyes shut. One leg trailed off the edge of the bed. Her long black hair was haloed around her face. Looking at her, Bob Kelly suddenly felt very sorry for her. She seemed so helpless.

"For Christ sake, take it easy," he said.

Gus nodded. He was looking at Christine's body. His arms were straight down at his sides, fingers twitching. He grinned, and got on the bed.

Gus put his hand on Christine's bare stomach.

Her eyes flickered. "Bob?" she asked.

"I'm here, Baby. It's all right," Kelly said. He sat on the bed, taking Chris' hand in both of his. He held it tight, thinking, I hope they get this over with fast.

Gus moved on top of Christine. The other two moved close, watching. Their breathing was loud, and heavy.

"Bob," said Christine. "Who? Bob, there's someone else here. Bob? Where are you?". She tried to get up. Gus' weight forced her back. He placed one hand on her thigh.

"It's all right, Baby," Kelly said. "Don't worry, I'm here. Nobody's going to hurt you, Baby. I'm right here." He squeezed her hand.

Christine's eyes opened wide. She felt a surge of terror, or fright. Of disbelief. She started to scream.

Her vocal chords wouldn't work. Her mouth was open, and silent. Gus drove his body to her.

Again and again.

Christine's mouth closed, slowly.

Her eyes closed.

She lay back, still, submitting. Still not fully realizing what was happening to her, and not caring.

She felt the world could fall and she would not care.

Pete got on the bed. He said, "Let's do it together, she's ready for us all."

Bill joined him.

Bob Kelly held her hand very tightly, and looked away.

Jeannie said, "I guess you weren't so drunk after all, Honey. You're a good man."

Dreggs lit a cigarette. He was drunk, and he knew it. But sobering up rapidly. He said, "Jeannie, with a chick like you any man could be good."

She said, "Thank you," as she fastened the side of her slacks; reached for her blouse.

"No, thank you. Say, where is Sebastian?" "Who?"

"The guy I came with. The one with Chris!" He said, looking around the room.

Jeannie laughed. "The one with Chris?" she said.

Earl said, "Yeah. You know Chris, the long, black-haired girl." He turned to Jeannie, and saw the strange look in her eyes.

"What is it?" he asked.

Jeannie said, "I think your friend left with Maryanne."

"He was with Christine."

"He came with Christine. I think he left with Maryanne. The girl in the orange slacks."

"What about Chris?"

"She's here."

"Where?" Earl asked.

"I hope your friend doesn't care much for her. Or else that he's very open minded," Jeannie said, rolling over on her stomach, and looking at her fingernails.

Dreggs thought it over. It was evident that Christine had gone with another guy, probably in revenge on Sebastian. And if she were still here, then she was in the bedroom. He didn't think that she would make love to anyone but Wolff.

Wolff's women never wanted anyone else.

But Earl Dreggs liked Christine. He thought, I probably like her more than I do Sebastian. If she's through with him, I would like a chance to take over.

He said, "Who is she with?"

The redhead laughed.

"Answer me, dammit!" he said.

"Oh? Getting demanding are we? How do I know who the hell she's with," Jeannie said angrily. "Why don't you go and see for yourself. You can make a report to your friend."

"She in there?" Earl asked, nodding at the bedroom door. He remembered, as he looked that way, that the three men who had been left alone had gone in there. "Who else is there?"

"Go and look," she said, and turned away.

Dreggs pulled his pants on, and stood up. Jeannie didn't turn around. He disliked her, all of a sudden. He wanted to be with Christine, wanted to be in love with Christine. He didn't want to see Jeannie again.

And he didn't want to see Sebastian Wolff again. Ever.

He crossed the room and started to knock on the door. Then he realized that it was the most ridiculous thing that he could conceive of. He pushed the door open.

The light flooded the bedroom.

"Shut that door, you damn fool," someone said, from the bed.

Dreggs shut the door behind him. He stood, frowning at the dark room, leaning against the doorframe. His eyes grew accustomed to the darkness.

There were several figures on the bed. As Earl watched, one detached itself from the group and crossed the room, brushing by him. The figure opened the door, and left. Earl recognized Bob Kelly in the moment of light. He walked over to the bed.

One woman.

Three men.

They were grouped around her. One was on top, moving frog-like against her. The other two were on either side, touching her, pressing their naked flesh to hers. Earl looked at the woman.

Christine.

She was very still, not moving at all. Her knees were up, her head back. He recognized the white skin, framed in the black hair.

And the dark eyes.

Open.

She was looking at him. Earl turned and left.

Jeannie spoke to him, but he walked by and out the door. He went down in the cold air.

He was very sober.