Lovers Anonymous

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That week we talked on the phone everyday and finally Friday came. At four o'clock, Liz arrived at the office with a small suitcase and I had a driver take us to the hotel.
The Villa Creole was a wonderful place. Although near the heart of Pétion-Ville, everything was designed to give a feeling of secluded luxury. A private road led off the main street and past the El Rancho Hotel, another landmark of the city. One Sunday a month, I would spend the day at the Villa. Almost always I came alone and stayed all day drinking, resting, and sometimes reading by the pool until well after sunset. I would have lunch by the pool and an elegant dinner in the dining room. This was the one place where even though the staff all knew me by name, I made no effort to know theirs. I was always polite but I went there to get away from everyone, not to socialize. The Villa was my secret hideout. The only exception was Sam, the bartender. Being on a first-name basis with the man who poured my drinks was an absolute necessity for someone who depended on booze as much as I did.
The driver parked under the canopy and I helped Liz out of the Jeep. The entrance to the hotel was a showcase of elegant Mediterranean style with distinctly Haïtian accents. All the wrought iron gates and security bars throughout the hotel were decorated with intricate patterns in the shapes of hearts, crosses, and stars, the traditional symbols of Haïtian folklore. Contrasting nicely with the iron work around the lobby were paintings by Haïtian masters. The lobby may have been the showcase, but the entire hotel was an art gallery. While Liz looked at the paintings, I walked up to the front desk and the manager on duty, a very professional looking young woman, greeted me with a smile. “Well, Mr. Pierre, I see you'll be spending the entire weekend with us. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.”
As I signed in, I said, “I’m sure everything will be perfect as always, but if I need anything I won’t hesitate.” I was about to walk away when I had a thought. I turned back and flashed a quick look at her name badge. “Actually, there is something: flowers. Can you have the room filled with flowers? And a bottle of champagne, of course.”
“Mr. Pierre, flowers on such short notice…” The manager looked in Liz’ direction and then smiled at me. “Let me see what I can do.”
I was relieved and very grateful. “Thank you, Maude. I really appreciate this. Use your discretion and put it all on my account.”
Maude couldn't hide her surprise. In the two years she had worked at the Villa it was the first time I had ever referred to her by name. “Of course, Mr. Pierre. Always a pleasure to serve one of our best clients.”
“How much time do you need?” I asked.
She considered what needed to be done. “At least thirty minutes, but no more than an hour. Why don’t you have some drinks at the bar and I’ll let you know when everything is ready?”
“Perfect,” I said with a smile. When Maude realized I was trying to make eye-contact, she smiled shyly and lowered her gaze. It suddenly occurred to me that Maude was a very attractive young lady and I wondered why I had never noticed before. Then I remembered Liz, turned, walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her. “Honey, let’s go have a few drinks and relax.”
Liz reached behind and grabbed my ass. “Can’t we go to our room first and check things out?”
As tempted as I was, Maude needed time to fix the room, so I had to distract Liz. Besides, I could always use a drink. “Oh, baby! Do behave.” My Austin Powers impression wasn't very good, but it made her laugh. We took our bags and went to the bar. It wasn’t far but to get there we had to go through a large open area with a grand piano on a round platform about fifteen feet across. The platform was layered in white marble. In fact, all the floors in the public areas of the hotel were tiled with various shades and colors of marble. Beyond the piano lounge and down six steps was the formal dining area. Beyond that and down another six steps was the main bar.

..../...

Copyright © 2007-2008 Xavier Pierre Jr. All rights reserved.

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.../...

On the way to her aunt's house, I stopped at a liquor store and bought a bottle of cheap vodka and some double-mint gum. I hated vodka but, along with being high in alcohol, vodka had a very important property: minimal alcohol breath. The gum was to make absolutely sure. When I got to the building, the bottle was down to three quarters. Daisy buzzed me in and I went up to the fourth floor apartment.
“Sorry I took so long,” I said. “I had to make a stop on the way and pick up something for my mother. If I had forgotten, she would have killed me.”
“It's okay,” she said, “the only thing is that my aunt will be here in less than an hour and you can't be here when she comes home.” Daisy led me to the couch. “I'm sorry. I thought she’d be out longer.”
“It's okay,” I said. Daisy was wearing a pair of tight black shorts and a t-shirt that would have been fairly loose if her breasts weren't so full. And with the little slippers she wore on her tiny feet, she looked absolutely delicious. Reminding myself that I could only touch her hands, I swallowed hard and closed my eyes to get my focus.
“You okay?” Daisy asked.
“Fine,” I said as I opened my eyes with a smile, “but I have to say, you look good enough to eat.”
Daisy giggled. “Stop it, you're embarrassing me.”
Realizing that time was short, I reached out and took her hand. As I did, I squeezed it gently and smiled at her. “It’s true, you have very sexy legs and please forgive me for saying this, but you have the most kissable lips I’ve ever seen.”
“Stop,” she said, “you promised to be good.”
I could tell from the huge smile that every word was making her warm inside. “I made no such promise. What I said was that nothing would happen that you weren’t comfortable with. I didn’t say a damn thing about being good.” Still caressing her hand as I spoke, I winked at her. She turned away and as she did, I brought her hand to my mouth and kissed the back of it. I made it a wet kiss. “Delicious, I really could eat you.”
Daisy turned to face me and said, “Oh damn.”
I could see she was breathing heavily and I looked into her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine,” she answered, “I just wasn't expecting that.”
“No man has ever kissed your hand before?” I asked.
“Not like that,” she answered.
I turned her hand so the palm was up and slowly ran my fingers across her small palm and down her tiny fingers. “Your hands are so soft. I can just imagine how they would feel against my skin.” Without waiting for a response, I brought her hand to my face and ran the back of it against my cheek, as I looked deep into her eyes.
Daisy said nothing as she tried to keep up with the cascade of words and sensations I was sending her way. Still maintaining eye contact, I moved her hand to my mouth and raked the tip of my tongue gently and slowly across her fingertips. Daisy's mouth opened but no words came out. As I started to suck on her fingertips, one at a time, and very slowly, Daisy's eyelids dropped until her eyes closed completely. From the smile on her face, I knew she was enjoying the stimulation. When I ran her fingertips across the edge of my teeth, she gasped. Her eyes were still closed as I nibbled on her fingertips. “You sure you okay hon?” I asked coyly.
Daisy let out a heavy sigh. “I've never felt anything like this before.”
While caressing the back of her hand, I started kissing her knuckles. “It’s hard to believe no one has ever taken the time to kiss these hands before.” I said.
“Not like this,” she repeated.
“How sad,” I said. “If these hands were in my care, I would make sure they were never neglected.” I straightened out her index and middle fingers and curled her other fingers into her palm so that she was making an upside down peace sign. “But trust me, I would treat the rest of your body right too.” As I looked at her tiny feet, shapely calves, and sexy thighs, I licked her fingertips again and said, “I would suck your toes.” I dotted the tip of my tongue up both fingers. “I would kiss your legs.” I kissed the last phalanges of both fingers, just below the palms. “I would take extra time on your thighs, then who knows what I would do.” As I spoke the words, I flicked my tongue across the skin between her fingers. Daisy jumped noticeably but I just turned up the intensity, locking my lips on that small triangle of skin between her fingers and sucking gently.
Daisy started to pull her hand away but I held fast. “Xavier… oh god, please stop… Xavier, you have to go.”
I took her hand away from my mouth but continued to hold it. “What's wrong?”
Daisy was still breathing quickly and she sounded nervous. “Nothing's wrong, I just don't want us to get caught.”
I tried not to laugh but I couldn't suppress a huge grin, “Caught doing what, kissing your hand?”
Daisy was clearly flustered. “Well no, I mean yes, I mean I'm sorry. I'm not sure what I'm trying to say, but I know you have to go.”
“Daisy, what's wrong?” I asked, trying not to smile.
Daisy stood up and pulled me from the couch. “Please Xavier, just go.” She ushered me to the door and as I was leaving, she kissed me on the cheek. “Xavier, I’m so sorry to make you go like this, but I’m really glad you came. Please call me as soon as you get home so I know you're safe.”
I waited until I got to my car to laugh. After driving a few blocks, I pulled over and took a swig of vodka (one for the road) before finding my way back to the highway.

.../...

Copyright © 2007-2008 Xavier Pierre Jr. All rights reserved.

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The next day, Saturday, I went to the motor pool and got my motorcycle. That was my favorite form of transportation. Since I was the only assigned rider, my blue and black Suzuki was exactly where I had left it more than a month earlier. If I ever needed a jeep, all I had to do was ask for one, which is what I usually requested for the weekends. Because of my neck, I hadn’t ridden in a month. I barely even drove. But being chauffeured around was getting lame and that day, I definitely wanted to feel the rush of air.
I rode for several hours far up into the mountains that overlooked the bay of Port-au-Prince and away from any roads. I rode until even the trails became nothing more than goat paths. I rode until there were no homes and no sign of human presence. The further up I went, the cooler it got. Lord, it felt good to breathe crisp, clean, mountain air!
When I was far enough up the mountain that an encounter with another human was almost impossible, I got off the bike and sat on a boulder. I lit a cigarette and looked off into the distance. Through the haze I could see the island of La Gonave; just a formless blotch of grayish brown, competing with the setting sun for my attention. It was no contest. La Gonave didn’t stand a chance. But as the sun started to set, it made a token gesture to the island by highlighting its edges with a temporary crown of fiery red. It was time to ride home.
I prepared myself for the adrenaline rush that was to come. I was far from any road and soon it would be dark. I had to ride hard and fast through fields, hills, valleys, and ravines while there was still light. I decided on the most dangerous route. Rather than go back the way I had come, I would take the long way, forward over this mountain and down the other side to the very bottom and take the dry riverbed back to town. It was a crazy thing to do, all the more so because I had no protective gear other than my helmet. It didn't even occur to me that I had so recently broken my neck and I was supposed to be taking it easy.
The race was on as I gunned the throttle and tore up the grassy mountainside looking for any shortcut to the top. Every second was precious. I had to fly, and fly is what I did. At almost no time were both wheels on the ground together and quite often I would be soaring through the air, using any available surface as a ramp. The feeling was wonderful; I was getting high off the adrenaline flowing freely though my body as I maneuvered my bike across the landscape. When I flew over the top and started my descent down the other side, my momentum, gravity, and the terrain all conspired to force me into a straight line down the steep mountainside, but that would have meant certain death. I fought the mountain, pulling first to the right, then to the left, zigzagging my way down the slope. As I rode, only one mistake away from serious injury or worse, I couldn’t help thinking: If I were to fall and die what a glorious end it would be! We all had to die sooner or later, but to die on my terms, that would be something indeed. I clenched my teeth and pushed the death wish out of my mind. Some day, perhaps some day soon, but not that day! I had no intentions of surrendering my life to this mountain. I rode for all I was worth, racing not only against the mountain, but also against the setting sun.

Copyright © 2007-2008 Xavier Pierre Jr. All rights reserved.

.../...

Nicole hesitated. “I don't feel so good. I think I'm gonna throw up.”
Looking at her face, I could tell she was serious. I got up from the table, went around to her side, took her hand and led her to the bathroom. The bathroom was being used, but luckily there was no line. Standing in the hallway outside the bathroom, I leaned against the wall and she leaned back into me with my arms wrapped around her as I whispered in her ear. “Hang in there honey, just a little bit longer.”
When the door opened, a young woman came out and we went in. I locked the door behind us. Nicole immediately went to her knees and started vomiting into the toilet. Crouching behind her, I spoke comforting words as she emptied her stomach. I put an arm around her lower abdomen to apply gentle pressure and started to rub her back with my free hand. Even then, as my hand rubbed her back, I couldn’t help noticing how beautiful her body was. Holding her slender form so closely and looking at her dark chocolate skin, I was tempted to kiss the back of her neck but instead I leaned forward and hugged her. “That’s it baby, that’s it, get it all out.”
When she was done, I helped her to her feet and led her to the sink. She rinsed out her mouth and washed her face, then took the paper towel I was holding for her. I was standing behind her as she looked at my reflection in the mirror above the sink. “Thank you.” Her voice was so soft, it was as though she had mouthed the words.
“Are you okay?” I asked with genuine concern.
As she turned to face me, she nodded her head. “Yes, I’m a little embarrassed but I’ll live. We went to the beach. I've been drinking all day. I guess I had a little too much.”
I held her by the shoulders, looked into her eyes and started in a clear voice, “Well, I’ll take care of you. Maybe I can get them to make you some soup or something to settle your stomach.” The last few words were barely audible as I leaned forward and kissed her. It was a gentle kiss placed delicately on her lips.
She started to kiss back then pulled away and turned her face to the side. “I’m so embarrassed. You must think I’m so disgusting.”
I laughed a bit, “Trust me, I’ve kissed much worse.” Then I got serious as I took her chin again and looked into her eyes, “Actually I enjoyed it very much.”
She leaned forward, put her head on my chest and hugged me. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d be doing now if you hadn’t come along.”
Of course, I knew if I hadn’t come along she'd be having a great time with Joey, but that was my secret. “Okay,” I said, “let’s get you something to eat.”
We walked out holding hands as I led her back to our table. Unfortunately, the only way there was, was through the bar, so everyone saw us go to and from the bathroom, but I didn’t care. I was genuinely attracted to this girl and I wasn’t gonna let anyone stop me from getting to know her better. When the waiter came, I explained the situation and he said he knew just the thing for her and walked away.
Nicole looked at me with a puzzled expression. “What is he bringing me?”
I smiled, “Don’t worry, whatever it is, it’ll be exactly what you need.”We passed the time with me asking her general questions about what she did and who she knew. It turned out she was seventeen years old and had only been to the Flamenco a few times to see Freddy play on Thursday nights. She didn’t get out much and had no boyfriend. When she ran into Joey at a grocery store near her house, they got into a conversation when he asked her to translate the labels on the items he was trying to buy. He had seemed so nice that when he offered to drive her home, she accepted and when he asked if she wanted to go to the beach with him the next day, she had been flattered. Of course, I knew the rest of the story.

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Xavier Pierre Jr. All rights reserved.

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The day of the hearing, I left the house at my usual time, but I didn’t go to work. I called the office and told them I had an emergency; then I drove to Natasha’s. I wanted to see her family before they went to court. I stayed outside with the brothers to reassure them everything would be fine and reminded them to ignore anything Alice said. I didn’t get to see Natasha but that was just as well.
From there I went for a ride to clear my head. I considered breakfast but I couldn’t eat. Finally, I went to the Flamenco. It was closed, but Max let me in and Roland offered me a drink. After two drinks, it was time to go. I got to the courthouse thirty minutes early. I wanted to make sure I was the first one there. After waiting a bit, Natasha and her family appeared. I approached them discreetly and explained that it wouldn't be wise for the judge or any of the court officers to see me talking to them. Besides, if asked, I intended to tell the judge I barely knew Natasha and I had never met any of the other members of her family.
They were all nervous, even Jonah, and Natasha was shaking visibly. I was scared too but I knew they were counting on me so I put on an expression of absolute confidence and smiled at them. “Don’t worry, let me do all the talking and everything will be fine. I promise.” Then I nodded, turned and went inside the courtroom.
The single courtroom had a dozen or so benches. I sat in the far back corner so I could see everyone as they entered. A few minutes later, I heard loud voices out in the hallway. One of them belonged to Alice. The door opened and she entered. Even as she made her way to the far end of the first bench, she was hurtling insults out the open door. Natasha’s family entered angrily. Damn, the proceedings hadn’t even started yet and she had succeeded in getting them upset enough to argue with her. It was bad, very bad. I stood up and caught Jonah’s eyes. I frowned at him and shook my head slowly from side to side. He let out a sigh and shushed his family before corralling them at the opposite end of the front bench.
Alice turned and saw me sitting in the back. Without even trying to hide her anger, she got up and walked up to me. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
My heart was beating somewhere up near my throat, but I kept a cool appearance and smiled. “As your husband, I’m required to be here.”
“Why,” she snapped back, loud enough so the whole room could hear, “so you can defend your little whore?”
“No,” I replied calmly, “because it’s the law.”
Right about then a police officer entered the room. “Order in the court! All rise for the honorable Judge Mondesir.”
Everyone stood and I followed Alice back to the first row of benches and stood next to her. Once the courtroom was still, a pretty, forty-something woman in a long black robe entered the room, walked up to the dais, sat in the over-stuffed chair and pounded her gavel one time. “You may all be seated.” The judge took a few minutes to review the file.
A female judge! I couldn’t believe my luck. Even if Alice didn’t have an outburst, it was very unlikely this would go very far. Alice was here alone, representing herself, while Natasha was here with her family, and basically, looked like an innocent school-girl.
The judge signaled to the court officer and whispered in his ear. He then stepped forward and read from the file. “Judge Mondesir will now hear the case of Pierre versus Joseph. Alice Pierre please approach the bench.”
Alice walked up to the dais and started talking, “Judge, I demand justice! That woman and her family,” Alice pointed to Natasha, “attacked me without provocation…”
The Judge pounded the dais with her gavel. “Hold on Mrs. Pierre, you’ll get your chance, but this is a hearing, not a trial. I'm here to determine whether or not a crime has been committed, and whether a trial is necessary. Please keep your statement brief and stick to the facts. Now start by stating your full name and address for the record.”
Alice took a deep breath to calm herself then spoke her name. The proceedings went pretty much as I had predicted. After Alice finished with her fantastic story of being kidnapped, tortured and beaten, Natasha was asked to approach the bench and not only refuted everything Alice had said, but added that she had never met Alice until the day of the incident. Furthermore, she said that even then she only saw Alice through a window, because her mother kept her in the house as Alice tried to fight two of her brothers in the front yard.
Several times, Alice tried to provoke Natasha and her family but they simply ignored her. This infuriated Alice and the outbursts occurred with increasing frequency. Judge Mondesir was not amused and several times threatened to hold Alice in contempt. Eventually, I was asked to approach the bench. I told the judge Alice was emotionally disturbed, that I had no idea why she had chosen these innocent people as her latest target and I wanted to extend my sincerest apologies to the honorable judge for wasting so much of the court’s precious time with my poor wife’s delusional behavior. Alice went berserk. She lunged towards me and tried to tackle me to the ground, all the while screaming obscenities at the top of her lungs. When the court officer tried to subdue her, she scratched his arm and tried to bite him. Judge Mondesir ordered the case dismissed and a second officer was called in to restrain Alice.

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Xavier Pierre Jr. All rights reserved.