New River Blues Read Free

a glass of wine while we clean up!’ Pouring for everybody, turning her gleaming cheeks up to be kissed by Madge who of course was the last one there. He wrapped his arms around her, telling her she was still the best party-giver in Pima County.
    She put a big white apron over her satiny-slidy dress and made little gestures, picked up a few glasses, and poured some nuts back in a can. Zack and Felicity kept saying, ‘No, no, don’t get your dress dirty, we’ll handle that.’ But Pauly could see she liked being part of the crew, she wanted to stay here and share funny anecdotes about the party. Maybe she didn’t want to be alone. Pauly began to wonder if there wasn’t something sad, a touch of uncertainty behind her gleaming smile.
    Madge found some dance music for the CD player and danced with her, chuckling, then whirled her back to the wine bottles when she said she needed another sip. He danced away with Felicity, who moved like a ballet dancer and made any partner look like Fred Astaire.
    The hostess – Easy, was that what they called her? Or Weezy? – he couldn’t tell, if he had to call her anything he’d call her ma’am. She poured another big glass of wine for herself and one for Pauly, drank half of hers, treated him to one of those blissed-out smiles he’d been watching all evening and held out her arms saying, ‘OK, let’s dance.’ Pauly wasn’t much of a dancer but what were you supposed to do? He stepped into her arms, moving cautiously at first, hoping his hand wasn’t leaving a mark on the dress. The flesh of her round arms smelled like flowers, though, and she was enjoying herself, humming with the music, so he began to relax. Her hips swayed under his hand and he moved closer.
    Madge and Felicity pulled Nino and Zack out to dance, laughing, Madge whirling Nino around like a debutante. They danced close to Pauly and his luscious green armful, Madge looking a question at Weezy but she shook her head. When the music stopped, the hostess stood beside Pauly at the counter drinking wine. ‘Mmm,’ she said, smiling, ‘good.’ When the music started again they moved into each other’s arms without a word.
    He would never know how the rest of it happened. The lights dimmed gradually, as if by magic. The saxophones seemed to grow creamier as the laughter of the other dancers softened. Somebody passed around a J and after that for Pauly it was all vague and beautiful, there was only the music and the silky slide of her body in his arms.
    At the end of one long song he realized the other four people had disappeared, and a bit later he found himself halfway up the stairs kissing his green-clad hostess, who groped him and groaned with pleasure.
    In a bedroom that looked better than any dream he’d ever had, this woman who seemed to know no limits wound her arms around his neck and whispered, ‘Sweetie, you need some more wine?’ Her jeweled hands caressed his back and sides and found his crotch. ‘No, I guess not,’ she chuckled, and the shiny green dress slid off like magic as they sank on to her silky sheets.
    The first time he came in her he was sure he was going to die of pleasure. But he didn’t, and she knew exactly how to help him risk his life again.
    The second time took longer but finally came to a great shuddering climax that left them both very tired. They lay curled together afterwards, making soft sounds that didn’t quite reach the level of speech. Not really intending to but helpless to stop, they fell asleep.
    Adrift in dreamless satisfaction, Pauly slept without moving until the lights went on and the world exploded.

TWO
    I n Tucson, darkness is more than just the absence of light. It’s a highly prized commodity that enjoys environmental protection. Famous observatories cap the mountains around the city, and the discoveries of the world-class astronomers who flock to them add luster