A Tale of Beauty by Patrick Balzamo

Author:Patrick Balzamo [Balzamo, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781550718065
Publisher: Guernica Editions Inc
Published: 2014-05-30T04:00:00+00:00

“Was this the place that served me that God-awful Manhattan?” Lucy asks as we descend the short flight of stairs into the bar. “Because if it is, I’m waiting in the car.”

“Nah, it’s not.” Matthew nudges Lucy, which nearly causes her to stumble and earns him a glare. “I promised you we’d never go there again, didn’t I?”

“You’re a man. I don’t expect you to keep your promises.”

“Excuse me,” I say, partly out of curiosity but mostly to remind them that I’m still there. “Which place are you talking about?”

“Just some place we went to once,” Matthew says.

“It does seem to have made an impression on you.”

“It was just that bad.” Lucy says without turning around. “I’m sure that you could tell us similar stories about bars that you’ve been to, couldn’t you?”

“Well, actually ...” I trail off as soon as I realize that informing Lucy that this is my first visit to a bar would only be inviting her ridicule.

“Chastity’s not that kind of girl.” Matthew overtakes Lucy in a few quick strides and opens the door for us. “After you, ladies.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Lucy turns her head just enough for me to watch the corner of her mouth curl upward. “She’s still a virgin.” She walks through the door without so much as a glance at Matthew.

“She’s got a way with words,” Matthew says under his breath. As I pass him on my way into the bar, he touches my arm. “Hey. Is she going too far?”

I smile and place my other hand over his. “I’m alright, but I do appreciate you looking out for me.”

“Yeah, well, Mom would kill me if I sent you home scarred for life or anything.” He gives me a gentle push toward where Lucy’s standing, a few steps beyond the door. “Go on, find us a table. I’ll get the drinks. Luce, what’ll you have?”

“A martini. I don’t trust your memory.”

“Chastity?”

“Oh, I’m not sure ...” I glance around. “Don’t they have a menu, or something?”

Lucy laughs, and I tense up. “A Shirley Temple might suit her best, I think,” she says, and even though I’m not quite sure what a Shirley Temple is, I realize that I’ve been insulted.

Matthew ignores her. “I’ll just get you some ginger ale or something. Sound good?”

“Oh, yes. That’ll be fine.” I smile at him, and the expression remains frozen on my face until he’s almost halfway to the bar.

“Is there something that you need to tell Matthew?” Lucy asks as I sit down across from her. “I’m sure you could still catch him before he orders.”

“No, it’s fine.” I place my hands in my lap, then move them onto the table. Lucy, for her part, is leaning back in her seat and tapping her fingernails on the table; the glittery nail polish that she’s painted them with is striking even in the dim light.

“So, tell me about yourself, Chastity.”

I lick my lips and wish that Matthew would get back with the drinks. “What would you like to know?”

“Are you really going to make me ask you questions?” Lucy sighs.

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