Lipstick

by: George A. Madrid

21.755—Writing and Reading the Short Story with Steve Strang March 23, 1994

Everything stopped. Suddenly nothing else mattered as his eyes came to rest on the small, red, crescent of lipstick. There it was, bright above the Econo Lodge logo on the rim of the plastic drinking cup. As he stood staring at the ring of makeup, he could see her lips once more, and then her face framed in long blonde hair. Once again he could see her sitting on the edge of the hotel-room bed and hear her as she had spoken to him just the day before.

“So what time is your flight?” she asked.

“I’m hoping to get on the earliest one in the morning,” he answered, “but you know how it is—flying standby.” He threw his suitcase onto the bed beside her.

“Well, I guess I won’t be seeing you again, will I?” she asked.

“I suppose not.” He fidgeted with his suitcase straps. “Don’t worry. I’ll write.”

“You’d better, I don’t want to lose touch this time. Okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” he said, sitting next to her on the hotel-room bed. He placed his hand in hers and looked at her face searching for eye contact, but she only stared at the floor. “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll be back sometime. We’ve got too much here to lose.”

“Oh? What have we got?” she asked tersely, looking him eye-to-eye. “We’ve got us and… ” he started. “We’ve got two days and an evening on the couch,” she said, cutting

him off.

“Come on! We’ve got more than that and you know it! I’ve gotten closer to you in one night than to anyone. Okay, so we’ve only been together again for two days, but I was closer to you on those days than I ever was on the couch,” he said, taking her hand in both of his.

“I know. I know. But now you’re leaving.”

“I can’t help it… ”

“I know,” she said, interrupting again. “I just don’t want to deal with it, okay?” Standing up, she pulled her hand from his and walked toward the hotel-room door. She turned to face him. “You sure you won’t come for dinner?” she asked, putting her hands in her jacket pockets, making the leather rustle as it brushed against itself.

“No, I can’t. I promised your parents I’d be out of their house by tonight.”

“But you can’t help it if your plane was full, Mike. They’ll understand.

They’ve flown standby before… ” she said, moving to him.

“No! I’m staying here tonight,” he snapped, “and there’s got to be somewhere around to get food.”

“Fine with me,” she said turning abruptly toward the door.

“Wait!” Mike shouted, jumping up from the bed. “Wait! Don’t go away mad. You can’t go away mad at me,” he said, chasing her to the door. He put his hand on her arm. “Carole, don’t I even get a hug?”

She spun around and looked at him. “Of course you do,” she said, placing her arms around him, squeezing tight. “I just wish you could stay,” she said pulling him closer and tilting her head up to look into his eyes.

“But I can’t,” he said, holding her chin in his hand. “I have to go,” he said. Then he kissed her, cradling her face in his hands. It was just a quick kiss, but the good-byes soon gave way to passion, and after that, he could only fall further.

Mike forced his thoughts back into control, concentrating hard to block the words, to stop the conversation, and gradually the room returned. He could feel the toothbrush in his hand and hear the water running in the bathroom sink. He perceived the muffled sound of cartoon voices on the old hotel T.V. He looked down at the toothbrush in his hand and the water in the sink, and resumed his brushing.

He tried to concentrate on his brushing but couldn’t, so he stopped. He threw his toothbrush into the small bag marked “Toiletries” and pulled out a small bottle. He stood, holding it in his hand, and looked at himself in the mirror. He was tall and thin and wearing faded jeans and a maroon sweat shirt with the letters “M.I.T.” blazoned across the front. His dark hair was cut short on the sides and long in back. He stretched the skin of his face with his hand, his deep brown eyes surveying the marks on his cheeks. He sighed and looked down at the bottle in his other hand. Opening it, he squeezed a small amount of white cream onto his finger and applied it to his face. Damn! Just friends, that’s all. He put the bottle back into his bag and gathered the rest of his things. Grabbing his suitcase and throwing it onto the bed, he started repacking. Stupid, unpacking for one night.

He stuffed his nightclothes and his nightbag into his case and sat on it snapping it shut. He climbed over the bed and grabbed the phone receiver, mashing the “0” button. It rang twice. A woman with a high squeaky telephone voice answered:

“Front desk.”

Mike gave the woman his name and room number and asked her to call a taxi.

“And could you tell the cabby to drive around?” he asked.

“Certainly, sir.”

“Thanks,” he said.

Hanging up the phone, he crawled to the end of the bed and sat down facing the T.V. Saturday morning cartoons… Been a while. He tried to catch onto the story. It wasn’t too hard. G.I.Joe was saving the universe from Cobra. Anyway, it was a good way to pass fifteen minutes. It wasn’t long before the taxi arrived.

Looking out the cab window, Mike recognized the route to the airport. It was the same one Carole had used after she picked him up. He saw the shopping malls and restaurants of the uptown area and the bars and strip joints of the red light district. And as he traveled back along this familiar road, so did his thoughts.

Carole walked up to him as he hefted his suitcase off of the baggage claim. “Hey, sailor!” she said. “Wanna have some fun?” Mike turned to look at her, blinked, squinted and said, “Carole? Carole

Martin? Is that you?”

“Well who’d you think it was, silly?” she answered, grabbing him and hugging him. “You called and I rushed right over.”

Mike hesitated a moment, stunned, and then he squeezed back. “Oh, you… !” he started but couldn’t finish. Then catching a whiff of her soft perfume, he hugged harder.

They waited for the rest of Mike’s luggage and when it had come, they each carried two bags. Mike led Carole out of the automatic doors joking about opening them for the lady. They laughed all the way to the car.

She pulled the car out and drove to the parking lot exit.

“Gee, seems cold up here after a sunny Christmas at home in Tampa.” said Mike.

“Hey, Atlanta’s not exactly yankee territory, y’know. Not like Massachusetts. Can’t get much more puritan than that, can you?”

“Well, hell! Those Puritans never did know how to have fun,” said Mike. “That’s the first thing you learn at M.I.T.!” Carole laughed and then there was silence.

They pulled out of the airport and went up the ramp to the freeway. She shifted the car and accelerated, preparing to merge with the traffic. The movement of her legs drew Mike’s eyes. He looked up and down the length of her body and regarded her in whole for the first time since their reunion. Her jeans were very tight around well formed thighs. His gaze moved down to where her jeans were more loose, tapering to an end slightly above her anklebone revealing unmatched socks, one red, one blue. Her sneakers were slightly worn. His eyes continued their tour now from the waist up. In contrast to her jeans, her light blue sweater was worn loosely, draping nicely over her small breasts. Blonde hair surrounded her milk-white face. She wore a minimum of make-up and looked good that way. Mike considered her nose, small and feminine, and beneath it, her moist lips, slightly parted. But by far her most striking feature was her eyes, blue and sparkling in the sun.

Finally Carole broke the silence. “Well, it’s sure gonna seem cold as hell when you get back to school.”

“Huh? What?” he said and then, realizing he was staring, turned his eyes quickly back to the road.

“It’s gonna be cold… at school.”

“Oh, yeah. Real cold. It’s warmer here, though.”

More silence.

She pulled off the freeway onto a major suburban street. They passed several bars and nightclubs, many advertising nude or topless dancing. “This isn’t really the best part of town,” said Carole.

Mike looked around at all the bars then turned to Carole. “So you’re a hooker, now?” he teased.

“Oh, yeah. Big money in it,” she laughed.

“Did you ever work over there,” and he pointed at one of the clubs, “at The Fantasy Isle?”

“Oh, no. Not that one. Much nicer places. I’m not cheap you know.” “No, of course not. Not with a face like yours,” he said, looking again

at her wonderful blue eyes.

“Thank you, Mike,” she sighed, turning her head and meeting his eye. For just a moment, they stared, mesmerized, and then, as one, they looked back at the road. After a moment, they burst into laughter.

They drove on, through the city, past the malls, all the time laughing and talking and joking like old friends., Finally she pulled into a small housing development, negotiating the twisted maze of minor roads which led to her house.

She parked the car by the curb and said, “Here we are, Atlanta International.”

“Sir, we’re here. Sir! Atlanta International Airport,” said the cab driver. “Huh, oh yeah. Thanks.” Mike got out of the taxi and paid the driver.

They pulled his luggage out of the trunk, and Mike somehow managed to lift all four bags. He thought it strange, but it seemed much heavier now than when he arrived.

He dragged himself and all of his luggage over to the ticket counter and took his place in line. The queue moved slowly forward and Mike pushed his luggage along with his feet. After winding his way through the velvet maze of ropes to the ticket counter, he received the the news. The first flight with an opening was at 3:00 p.m.

Picking up his luggage, he made his way over to a group of chairs and sat down, surrounding himself with his luggage. He considered going to a snack bar for some food, but realized that he would have to take his bags with him. They were such a burden. He wanted to lock them away and forget about them for a while, but he saw no lockers anywhere nearby. Instead, he settled down to watch the people for six hours. There was a family sitting across from him. Mike thought the girl looked a little like Carole, but as for the parents…

She parked the car by the curb and said “Here we are. Be it ever so humble. …This is it.”

“So this is where you live,” said Mike.

“Yup. Come on in. Mom and Dad are waiting.”

“Oh, wow! Mom and Dad.”

They walked to the front door to find the Martin’s waiting in the doorway. Introductions were made, and Mr. Martin ran out to the car to fetch Mike’s luggage. The others all moved into the dining room.

“I want to thank you and Mr. Martin for letting me stay here. You’re really saving me.” said Mike.

“Oh, it’s really no problem, Mike. Burt and I used to fly stand-by all the time, and we know how you can get stranded. Really, we’re delighted to meet an old friend of Carole’s. Really, we are.” Mrs. Martin paused to take a breath. “So tell me, how did you two meet in the first place, anyway?”

“Mom, I’ve told you. Summer camp.”

“Oh, don’t be silly, Carole. You haven’t been to summer camp in at least five years. Where have you seen each other since?”

“It was four years, Mom. I was thirteen.”

“We haven’t seen each other since, Mrs. Martin. We just wrote each other for a while.”

Mr. Martin walked into the room. “Mike, I put your luggage in the living room. We have a pull-out in there for you.”

“Thanks, Mr. Martin.” “No problem, Mike. Well, I have to make some calls. You guys have

fun,” and he left.

“So where were we?” asked Mrs. Martin. “Oh, yes. So you’ve been writing to each other for four years. How nice.”

“Well, actually Mike and I only wrote for about a year-and-a-half.” “I’m sorry if I’m being any inconvenience, Mrs. Martin, but when I

couldn’t get on a flight ’til tomorrow, I got desperate. I won’t be staying after tonight, though. I promise.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble. We’re delighted to have you. Really.” “Well, as long as I’m here, I may as well show your daughter a good

time. That is, if she’s willing to go out with me. …”

“Of course she is! It’ll be her first date in a long time.” “Mom… !” “Oh, come now, Carole. You know you haven’t been on a real date since

you changed schools.”

“Yes, but you don’t have to tell the world, and certainly not Mike.” “We’ll discuss this later, okay?” Carol sighed and turned to Mike, slightly embarrassed “Let’s go, Mike.” “Where?” “My room, silly.” As they left the dining room, Carole slipped her arm through Mike’s. She

led him through the living room, where she showed him the pull-out bed, and then past two bedrooms making appropriate comments for each. They came to the last room in the hall. “And this is my room,” she said.

They entered the room and sat down on the end of the bed. Carole flopped backwards onto her elbows with her feet dangling over the edge of the bed. Mike moved to lie on his stomach and rested his head in his hands. They lay there on the bed, very close, and talked for an hour. Occasionally the conversation would stop, and they would just stare into each others eyes.

The world returned as Mike heard a Boston flight being announced. Damn, could’ve been mine. He looked around and saw the same scenery that he had been looking at for two hours. He glanced at his luggage. Screw it! He stood up and walked to the first snack bar he could find.

After going through line, he slid into a booth with a tray loaded with french fries and a large pile of ketchup packets. Hope my luggage is okay. It was only when he started eating that he realized the strength of his hunger.

Mike pulled the chair out for Carole. “I promise you this place makes the best spare ribs in the state,” said

Carole as she sat down. Mike went to the other side of the small table and took the opposite seat. They looked at the menus until the waiter came, then they ordered.

“Carole… ” Mike started. Carole just looked at him. “What did your Mom mean about changing schools?”

“Oh, I’ve never told you?” Then thinking more, “No, I guess I couldn’t have. I go to a private school of the arts outside Atlanta.”

“Oh wow! You mean like Fame? How cool. It must be fun.” “It is. I get to dance and act and sing. It’s lots of fun, but I don’t really

know the people there. None of them live close to me, so we can’t really hang out.”

“Is that what you Mom meant?” “About dates? Yes.” “Can’t you date guys who live near you?” “No. You know how high school kids are.” “No, I don’t. What do you mean?” “They claim I betrayed them. None of them have anything to do with me

anymore.”

“Oh, don’t be stupid.” “I’m not. It’s true. They’ve practically told me as much. I know it’s not

fair, but little is. Anyway, I get lots of dates.”

“Where?” “At the airport.” Carole looked at Mike as he thought. Then, all at once, he laughed. So

did Carole.

The ribs arrived and they stopped talking while they ate. By the time they were done, they both had sauce on their faces. The waiter brought them hot, steaming napkins with which to clean up. Carole wiped off the sauce like an expert. Mike just smeared it around.

Carole laughed. “Here, let me help.” She moved around to Mike and sat in his lap and began to clean his face. She place one hand behind his neck for support, and with the other, she softly stroked his cheeks and mouth and chin with the warm cloth. Then, when she was done, she pulled him forward and softly kissed his lips.

He finished his fries and left the snack bar throwing away his trash. Her returned to his luggage. It was still there. Shit! He resumed his position amid the suitcases, propping his leg on one. He felt tired. Should sleep. No, probably get robbed. He looked around and saw a child reading a comic book.

After dinner, they drove to Atlanta Airport. They drove as close as possible to the end of a runway and watched the planes fly over them for several hours. Little was said, they just sat hand in hand.

They went home about twelve. They were very quiet because Carole’s parents were already asleep. They entered the living room and pulled out Mike’s “bed” and lay down on it. The last few hours had been very quiet and now they had an urge to talk.

Mike put his arm around Carole and said, “Thanks for having me. I had fun tonight.”

“Yeah, it was nothing.” Silence. “So tell me about this school of yours.” said Mike. “I’ve already said all there is to say. We dance, we act, we sing, and we

do everything you do at any other school.”

“Really? I act. Have you been in any plays or anything?” “I was in a musical just a couple of weeks ago.” “Which one?” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. I was Lucy.” “That’s great. I can’t believe you don’t like it at that school. Do you have

people walking around the halls with cellos and playing music at lunch.” “Sometimes people even sing at lunch.” “Wow. So you were Lucy, huh?” “I was Lucy.” “That’s a good part. How can you say that no one there likes you?” “I didn’t mean the teachers. I meant the students.” Mike just sighed and looked at Carole. He leaned forward and kissed her.

“So what do you do in your other classes. If you learn a lot, you can join me at M.I.T.”

“I love English class. We have a great teacher, who loves Hawthorne. So do I.”

“What’s your favorite Hawthorne story.”

“ ‘The Minister’s Black Veil.’ ”

“I know that one. That’s the one with the minister who wears a black veil over his face to hide his secret sin.”

“Yes. Father Hooper. I don’t know why, I just feel like I understand him. I look around me and see veils on everyone. I know exactly why Father Hooper wears his veil.”

Mike was frightened out of his thoughts by a drunk who stumbled into him. Mike checked his wallet, it was still there. I guess she was right. His leg had fallen asleep so he got up to take a walk. What’s mine? He walked along the terminal to an ice-cream stand. He bought a large double-scoop of vanilla in a cone and sat down to watch the people. Certain people stood out. The drunk trying to get a free ice-cream. The black boys breakdancing for change next to the Eastern counter. The young couple sitting at the next table. Don’t they look happy. He frowned. I used to be happy. He leaned back in his chair and could hear Carole once more.

He could feel her in his arms, her lips pressed against his. Her body felt firm and warm beneath his hands. They kissed each other softly with their lips, Mike often taking gentle bites of Carole’s neck. Finally, with one last, soft peck on the lips, they stopped kissing and just lay in one another’s arms, looking into the other’s eyes. They looked at each other lovingly, then they both laughed.

“You’re such a sentimental fool, Mike” Carole said between giggles. “Oh, Carole,” Mike proclaimed, standing up and placing one hand on

his heart and pointing one to the sky. “I love you so.”

“And so, our hero proclaims his love for the heroine and they ride off into the sunset. No… wait! They don’t ride anywhere. They have stand-by tickets and can’t get out of Atlanta.”

Mike laughed. “Oh, well. So much for that Harlequin romance.”

They leaned back on the couch, leaving only their fingers intertwined. “I still can’t believe you don’t get dates.” “I do get dates.” “At the airport?” Mike questioned. “Among other places.”

“Do you greet them all the same way, then?” “Pretty much. You’re special, though.” “Oh? Why is that?” “I’m not charging you,” she said, laughing. Mike chuckled. “Well, I must say I’m certainly flattered. And you cer-

tainly kiss like a pro.”

“Among other things.” He chuckled again. “Oohh! So you don’t mind if I make a pass at you,

then?”

“What are you going to do? Kiss me again?” “Among other things.” “Oohh! Is that a promise?” Mike just raised his eyebrows and kissed her again. “Wow, who would’a

thought? Carole Martin, only sixteen and already she’s got a career. And I’ll bet she’s good at it, too.”

“You want to find out? You could you know.” Mike laughed and kissed her again.

A cold, sticky feeling inside his sleeve snapped Mike out of his daydream. He laughed at himself. His ice cream had melted and dripped all over his hand. The couple had long since finished their cones and walked away. They probably have a plane to catch. When is mine? He looked around for a clock. It was 1:15. Just over an hour. Great. He started to wipe the melted cream off his arm. If I’d only known. Throwing the uneaten cone into the trash, he walked back to his luggage and sat down. He looked around and saw a group of women. They appeared to be from Asia. Hmm. See all kinds here The women were all wearing long robes with veils. None were wearing them and they were giggling. Like children. Must get a kick outa’ not wearing those things here. He watched them prowl around for several minutes, talking among themselves. He listened, but couldn’t understand.

“You want to know a secret?” asked Mike “What?” said Carol. “I used to have such a crush on you.” “Did not.” “Did too.” “Come on. Be serious.” “I am. And I was so damn jealous of Patrick, too.”

“Who?” “You know, Patrick Mills. He got all the attention.” “What?” “You had a crush on him, remember?” “Did not.” “Did too.” “Okay, maybe a small one, but you’re the one I kept in touch with.” “What are you saying, Carole?” “Well, you were certainly crush-worthy, too.” “Was not.” “Were too.” “Was not.” “Look, buster. Don’t tell me who I like and who I don’t. You were

cute—still are.”

“Oh, don’t be silly.” “I’m not being silly. You were and are, and I did and do.” “You do not.” “I do… Oh, please, Mike. Let’s not get into this again.” “Prove it.” “Well, I’m losing money by being with you tonight.” “Oh, yes?” “Yes. I ain’t cheap, y’know.” “I’ll bet.” They laughed. Mike looked at her again. He looked at her blue eyes and

ran his fingers through her blonde hair. He saw the bow in her hair and played with it lovingly.

“You know what they say about girls who wear bows?” Mike asked. “No, what?” “You don’t know?” “No, I don’t.” “Well, they say it at M.I.T.” She grabbed his hair. “Look. Either you tell me now or I pull, got that,

Mikey.”

“Okay, okay! They say ‘the bigger the bow, the bigger the blow.’ ” She chuckled “That’s a mighty big bow you’re wearing, Carole,” Mike whispered. “You

think you deserve it?”

“Why don’t you be the judge.” “I guess you’ve had the experience, haven’t you?” he joked.

“Yes, I have,” she said in a low voice. Mike stopped laughing and leaned back on the couch, staring at Carole.

“They taught you well at that school, didn’t they?”

“What do you mean?” “I mean you’re a pretty good actress.” “Why?” “’Cause I almost believe you.” He laughed again. “Why shouldn’t you believe me?” “Because you’re joking, right?” “No,” she said. Then there was silence. Mike just stared at Carole. Then he forced a

laugh.

“So you like Hawthorne, do you?” Mike said. “Yes, I do.” “Doing well in school?” “Yes, I am.” “ ‘Minister’s Black Veil,’ huh?” “Yes.” More silence. “Carole,” he said softly. “Yes, Mike?” “What you said earlier… You were joking, weren’t you?” “No,” she said softly. “Wait. I’m just going to ask you one more time. Whatever you say, I’ll

believe and I won’t ask again. Just one more time, I’ll believe you.” Then, almost pleading, “You were joking, weren’t you?”

“No,” she whispered and averted her eyes.

No! He shook his head, shocking himself to reality. I knew. He stood up and stretched, looking at the clock. Only half an hour. He went to the ticket counter and gave the clerk his name. The clerk told him there should be a spot on the plane. Thank God. He checked his luggage and headed for the gate. After passing through the security point, he sat down to wait for boarding. Why? He couldn’t get comfortable in the plastic airport seats. They seemed suddenly hard. Damn her.

“Why?” he demanded. “What do you mean, ‘Why?’ ”

“Why do you do it—the prostitution?” He was glaring at her. “Maybe I like sex. Is that okay with you. You’re the one who’s been

telling me I’m special all evening. Why are you doing that, huh?” She glared back.

“What are you talking about?” “Maybe you’ve just been trying to get me to bed. C’mon, you know it.

What’s the matter? You don’t like the fact that you’ve been flirting with someone you could’ve just payed for—saved yourself some trouble.”

“Carole, shut up! You don’t know what you’re talking about. You are special. You don’t need that.”

“You don’t know anything about it, so why don’t you shut up!” “Okay,” said Mike catching himself. “So maybe I don’t know anything

about this. Why don’t you tell me about it, then.”

“Well, there’s this guy named Bret, he sets things up. I get a call on Friday’s and Saturday’s and he tells me where to go. I give him half. That’s all. Clean, simple. My parents don’t need to know, and I give some nice men a few hours of pleasure.”

“Nice men… ? Don’t give me that.” “Okay, they’re not nice men. A lot of them are men I wouldn’t touch if

they weren’t paying, but I let them think I love them. I makes a person feel good to be loved. People want to feel special and attractive. I give that to people, that’s all.”

“Oh, Carole. You don’t need that. Why do you need that?” “Maybe I want to feel attractive, too. Okay?” “Carole, you are.” “No one thinks so.” “I do. I mean… look. You must be. Hell, you were Lucy. That’s a lead.

I only dream of getting a lead. You’ve got to be pretty special to get a lead. Can’t you see that?”

Carole turned her head as she started to cry. Mike reached out to hold her and she came to him and held tight, burying her head in his shoulder, wiping her tears on his sleeve.

“Carole, what is it.” “Charlie Brown. I came out last.” “What?” “You know, at the curtain call, all the characters come out and the main

characters come out last. I had never realized it before, but I came out last. And they applauded. All that, for me.”

“You see, you are special.”

“Mike Ellis… Mr. Mike Ellis come to the gate desk, please. Mr. Mike Ellis.”

Mike jumped out of his chair and ran to the desk. This is it! The man at the desk had a ticket for him. He boarded the plane and took his seat near the back on the aisle. Not a great spot, but I can’t complain. Leaning back in his chair and stretching his feet out, he lounged in the relative softness of the plane seat. He felt his eyes starting to close, and let himself go.

“You see, you are special.” “Mike, hold me. Don’t talk. Please. Just hold me.” So he held her, and

they fell asleep in each others arms.

Mike awoke as the plane was landing in Boston. The plane touched-down and pulled to the gate and Mike disembarked. Home. Almost home. He followed the crowd of people down to the baggage claim and waited for his luggage. It came relatively quickly, and he went for a taxi.

“Yeah, where d’ya wanna go, Mister?” “500 Memorial Drive, please.” “That’s at M.I.T., right?” “Right. Just get me home, okay.” “Yes, sir.” He got into the taxi and lay down in the seat. Why? I knew. Still. He

was still tired. His eyes closed.

“You sure you won’t come for dinner?” she asked, putting her hands in her jacket pockets, making the leather rustle as it brushed against itself.

“No, I can’t. I promised your parents I’d be out of their house by tonight.”

“But you can’t help it if your plane was full, Mike. They’ll understand. They’ve flown standby before… ” she said, moving to him.

“No! I’m staying here tonight,” he snapped, “and there’s got to be somewhere around to get food.”

“Fine with me,” she said turning abruptly toward the door. “Wait!” Mike shouted, jumping up from the bed. “Wait! Don’t go away

mad. You can’t go away mad at me,” he said, chasing her to the door. He put his hand on her arm. “Carole, don’t I even get a hug?”

She spun around and looked at him. “Of course you do,” she said, placing her arms around him, squeezing tight. “I just wish you could stay,” she said pulling him closer and tilting her head up to look into his eyes.

“But I can’t,” he said, holding her chin in his hand. “I have to go,” he said. Then he kissed her, cradling her face in his hands. It was just a small kiss, but soon the good-byes gave way to passion and they found themselves in bed, in love. …

In the afterwards, he lay with his arms around her. He could feel her warmth against him and her body pressing him. He held more tightly and she looked up at him, adjusting the sheets around herself. He looked at her eyes, blue and alive. He caressed her hair, blonde and shining. He kissed her lips, soft and red.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said.

“Thanks. I hope you really mean it.”

“Why would I lie?”

“I’ve been lied to before.”

“Oh, damn! Not this again.”

“Mike don’t get so mad. It’s nothing against you. Come on. I’m just using my body. Look, don’t you use your brain?” Mike nodded. “And it got you into M.I.T., right?” Mike nodded. “And that’s going to get you a good job, right?” Mike nodded. “You see, we’re not that different. I use my body that same way you use M.I.T.”

“No, that’s not… ” and he stopped himself.

“Sir, here we are. M.I.T. 500 Mem, just like you asked.”

“Oh,” he answered, opening his eyes, “yes, thank you.”

He got out of the taxi and paid the driver pulling his luggage out of the back. It took two trips to lug it all to his room. Damn, she was right. He considered unpacking. No, it’ll wait. And he flopped into bed. His mind drifted again.

“No, that’s not… ” and he stopped himself. “Carole, wait. Let’s not argue and go away angry. We’ve got too much here to lose.”

Carole sighed, “Okay, if you promise you’ll write.”

“I’ll write.” he promised.

He got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. He felt awkward walking naked in front of Carole. It was silly. After all, they were lovers. When he was done in the bathroom, he came out to find Carole standing naked in front of the sink. She was straightening her hair in the mirror. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her waist and hugged her, enjoying the feel of their bodies touching. He noticed Carole looking at them both in the mirror.

“Well, I guess I’d better be heading home,” she said. “Good luck getting your flight tomorrow. I won’t be able to drive you to the airport you know— school.”

“Yeah, I know,” he said. “I’ll get a taxi.”

Carole removed a small box from her purse and popped a small pink pill from its plastic bubble. She removed a hotel cup from the plastic wrapper and poured herself some water from the sink. Raising the cup to her lips, she said, “Mustn’t forget this now, must I?”

Mike laughed slightly and shook his head at her in the mirror. They were both still naked and he found himself staring. Carole pulled him close and kissed him.

“I really have to go,” she said.

“Yeah,” he replied, “I know.”

She moved over to her clothes and Mike followed. He remained naked while she stood still and let him dress her. He kissed each piece of her body as it was covered by a new piece of clothing. When she was fully dressed, he hugged her and kissed her lips. She started to speak, but Mike pressed a finger to her lips and shook his head. He walked her to the door and opened it, blowing her a kiss as she left. He watched the car drive out of sight, then climbed into bed and went to sleep.

He lay in bed staring at the ceiling of his dormroom. Damn it! He stood up and walked in a circle around his luggage. I knew! He threw himself back into bed. She was right. Then, as he drifted off to sleep, he thought, But I don’t care.