Bariloche by Andrés Neuman

Author:Andrés Neuman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Letter Books

XXXVII

The smoke tangled like a transparent vine. When they blew, the curls threatened to flee, then coalesced into a pillar that continued its impassive ascent.

Verónica’s cigarette, which peeked its incandescent head through her fingers as if probing between two legs, was nearly spent. They were naked. Lying on their backs, studying the part of the ceiling accentuated by the light, they didn’t look at each other. Their voices couldn’t be heard. They breathed to the rhythm of the smoke.

The room revealed a chair beside the bed, with men’s clothing folded over the back, and, deeper in, some curtains tinged with the street’s anemic glow. Everything else was shrouded in shadow, except for a woman’s shoe and a scrap of carpet underscored by a beam slipping in under the door.

Demetrio started to think about the time, about how Verónica’s children would soon be leaving their little friend’s birthday party, about how he felt like working on his puzzles at home instead of lying buck-naked in a hotel and in silence. You should probably get going, he said more coldly than he’d expected, or you’ll be late. She seemed to postpone her reply until the final drag; exhaling the smoke, she watched it disappear and unstuck her lips with a faint snap. I know, they’re my kids in case you forgot.

Verónica turned toward the nightstand and crushed the cigarette into the glass ashtray, the bottom engraved with a medieval emblem. Well I’m going to get dressed, Demetrio murmured, not yet moving. It’s half past, she replied, I have plenty of time if I take a cab, why don’t you come a little closer and we can stay ten more minutes, who cares anyway. Yeah Vero but I don’t know what’s the point of waiting till the last minute if you already know what’s next, the nerves, the racing around, it’s always the same. Okay, but maybe the thing for me is we don’t get to see each other much and I like to make the most of it, so I care more about that than the nerves and the racing around all put together, you get it? Look Vero what can I say, I don’t know if staying a few more minutes when you know you have to go and grab a taxi is really making the most of it, and about how we don’t see each other much, I mean that depends. Well I’ll be damned, it’s funny that this never comes up when your dick’s doing the talking. And what would happen if I said it? You’re not man enough for that. Maybe your husband’s man enough, but then I wouldn’t know what you’re cheating on him with me for. You’re a real fucking son of a bitch, Demetrio. You’re going to be late, come on love.

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