Heading For A New Life Read online

  — Thank you, - he choked out, unable to fight the excitement. Denise exhaled happily, burying her nose against his shoulder.

  — Okay. She pulled away, wiping away her tears. - Since you got up a long time ago, get ready. Let's go first and buy you a phone and a laptop. And then we'll look at the real estate office to find you a place to live.

  — Are you tired of me already? - Chris feigned indignation.

  — And then! Denise exclaimed cheerfully.

  — Okay, I got it. He threw up his hands playfully. - Where is your ironing board?

  — Are you going to stroke yourself?

  — I had to work in the laundry, ”he shrugged. - Yes, and I knew how before, if you forgot.

  — Exactly. Denise smiled white-toothed. - I remember how you ironed the arrows on your uniform trousers! Okay, tidy yourself up, I'll be upstairs.

  Half an hour later, Chris looked at the reflection in the mirror, recognizing himself as the old man. Just a glance changed. Has become tough unreadable, tenacious. From under sleeves a light gray T-shirt stuck out the edge of the tattoo on his left arm, in the triangular neckline there were black patterns that were lost under the fabric. Favorite black jeans were also found in one of the boxes. Chris buttoned his watch, tousled his hair - he ought to let go, now there is no need to cut his hair short, fearing that you will be caught by the curls and cut your throat. When he went upstairs, Denise raised her thumbs in satisfaction.

  — I recognize my Chris! She took the keys from the table and grabbed the bag that was hanging on the chair. - Well, first for your car or to the bank?

  - Are you kidding? Chris grunted. - Of course, behind the car. True, ”he frowned,“ I have no idea how I'm going to support her.

  — You always have time to sell, ”Denise reasonably noted. - Okay, let's walk, there are a couple of blocks to the parking lot.

  There were people around. Ordinary people were driving somewhere, talking about something, laughing. And the street was also flooded with a rare sun, as if nature decided to please Chris and remind him of what he was deprived of all this time. They walked and chatted about nothing, diligently avoiding slippery topics from the past.

  The six-level parking lot spiraled upward, and they took an elevator to the fifth floor.

  — I refueled it a little couple of days ago.

  Chris pressed the alarm, the black Hummer blinked and clicked the locks. Almost without breathing, he ran his hand over the hood, and a wide smile spread on his face by itself.

  — Boy, ”Denise grumbled, opening the door and getting into the passenger seat. Chris sat down next to him, smiled, turned the key in the ignition. They drove up to the bank an hour later, carefully parked a block from it - there was still not enough to acquire parking fines.

  — I have to check in with the officer before the end of the week, ”Chris remembered, putting on his glasses.

  Denise nodded as she entered the bank.

  After the sale of the house and paying off all the costs, 370 thousand remained, but Denise made a successful contribution, and in seven years another almost 160 thousand percent came up, so that Chris became the owner of a significant amount of more than half a million dollars.

  — Translate into this, - he held out the form, and the manager, smiling obsequiously, began to enter the data.

  After the bank, they visited an electronics store where they bought a smartphone and laptop. The first Chris twirled in his hands for several minutes, until with a sigh he said that a simple telephone would be enough to make calls. But Denise chatted about some kind of social media chats, correspondence and photo sharing, and Chris gave up. After that, we spent an hour in a real estate company, explaining what exactly is needed and how much to expect. Going out with several colorful brochures and the assurance that tomorrow there will be several options, they looked at each other.

  — Time to eat, ”Denise said, looking around. - Look, a lovely Italian restaurant has opened on the corner, maybe there?

  — Let's go to McDonald's, ”Chris asked suddenly. - Madly missed all this nonsense.

  The wind ruffled his hair, pleasure boats and ferries scurried down the bay below, and the sun sparkled, reflecting off the water. Taking a deep breath, Chris threw back his head and closed his eyes.

  — You know, I'm almost happy now.

  — That's what a simple Quotepounder does to a human, ”Denise muttered contentedly as she popped another slice of fries into her mouth.

  — That's for sure, ”Chris grinned. Then he added in earnest: - We must stop by the cemetery.

  After the bustling streets, it was quiet here, only straight rows of rectangles stretched out into the distance, drawn on the bright green grass. Denise confidently guided Chris forward until she stopped at a double tombstone, letting her go to the grave. Then she stepped back a few steps, watching him kneel in front of the stove, put a large bouquet of pink lilies - mother's favorite flowers, and whisper something, bowing his head.

  Feelingguiltatformgravesstirred upinchestChris,burnedpoison of the insides. He was not there when they left, but it could be that he stayed in the army. No, the fault was that they died because of him. If Chris hadn't sat down, his father would have continued to work, who knows - maybe his company would have stayed afloat. And my mother would certainly not have left behind, they would still be alive. Over the years in prison, Chris learned to separate the real from the visible and two years later accepted the fact that he himself was to blame for what happened.

  That he himself closed his eyes to the obvious, naively hoping that Jennifer would improve.

  I could have restrained myself, just file for divorce. Why did he hit her? And why exactly then, although he had never raised his hand against women before? All these pieces added up an ugly picture of his life, and Chris was ready to bear the punishment as long as necessary. But why, tell God, his parents had to pay for his mistakes ?!

  Sighing convulsively, Chris looked at the letters floating in front of his eyes, ran his hand over them, as if hoping that they would wash off. But that did not happen. Not embarrassed by Denise, he wiped his eyes and stood up, sniffing.

  — Let's go home? She asked carefully. He nodded, and they reached the graveyard fence in silence. But already at the gate Denise stopped and said: - Jennifer was also buried here, did you know?

  — Do you think I want to kneel before her grave? Chris's eyebrows rose ironically.

  — No, you might want to spit, ”Denise shrugged. - For example, I always do this when I come here.

  — Let's go, fighter, - grinnedChris, putting his hand on her shoulder and leading her to the car.

  Already in the evening he lay awake for a long time. Thoughts rushed in my head without touching the soul. Vivid snatches of memories, someone's laughter, a gentle whisper - everything merged into one cacophony, and Jennifer's face emerged more and more clearly in front of the inner gaze. Chris sat up abruptly and rubbed his eyes hard, trying to chase away the obsession. He did not think about her for several years, why did she come now? Maybe spirits really exist and feel when they are remembered? Snorting at the delusional thought, Chris reached for his laptop. At first, he honestly looked for vacancies, but then, unable to bear it, entered his last name in the search bar and dropped out of his life for several hours, looking through articles with loud headlines like:

  "The Collapse of the Laberte Family: Revenge of a Heartbroken Father-in-Law or Karma?"

  He expected something like this, but it was still bitter to read it. Dawn had already dawned outside the window when Chris rubbed his eyes and sank wearily onto the pillow, telling himself that he would only doze for half an hour. But the next time he woke up closer to dinner, when Denise went downstairs and poked in the shoulder:

  — Are we going to choose an apartment, or have you decided to spend the whole day in bed today?

  — This bed is not very suitable to spend all day in it with pleasure. Sorry. ”He smiled apologetically.

  �
�� I knew it, ”Denise frowned. - Not even three days have passed, and you already think my sofa is tougher than bunks!

  — Oh no! Chris replied with a laugh. - Bunks would seem to you stone at first. But everything is cognized by comparison.

  — Okay, great equalizer, ”Denise chuckled, waving her hand. - Get up, have breakfast, and let's go.

  — Listen, do you even work?

  — Actually, yes. Denise smiled contentedly. - Last week I won a big case, brought a substantial sum of money to the company and begged for ten days of vacation at my own expense. Anything for you.

  — Do you want to embarrass me? I already feel obligated to the grave.

  — In fact, we're going to a friend's birthday party tonight. Among

  a week's rest from the heart would not work.

  — Do you and Mark want to hang out?

  — By the way, I advise you the same. Denise raised her finger instructively. - I, of course, can hardly imagine how you could endure seven years without a woman, but now ...

  — Do not continue! Chris raised his hand, choking on a laugh. - I agree that you take care of my comfort, but I am not ready to discuss my abstinence with you.

  — And in vain, - it seems, Denise was offended. - I know some very pretty girls who would gladly brighten up your loneliness ...

  — Denise, - Chris looked directly into her huge, like a fawn Bambi, eyes, - let you not make me talk about how many times a week I masturbated and what I imagined.

  — You're right! - Denise blushed, but immediately raised a sly look: - But promise that you will think about my proposal.

  — Why am I not surprised that you have managed to be successful in law? Chris sighed ruefully.

  However,toevening adviceDenisealreadynotseemed delusional. IN most business, it's time to return to the game and finally feel alive. Chris put on a blue shirt outside and black jeans, rolled up sleeves, habitual gesture scrolled watch dial to the wrist. He started the card yesterday, put in a few bills and, casting one last look in the mirror, was satisfied with his appearance. Basically, you could go to either Kew or Hazelwood * - there was a time when she and Jennifer often visited there. But Chris wanted to exclude even the slightest possibility of meeting someone from his acquaintances, so he looked after a small jazz club in advance ten minutes from Denise's house. The children were sitting in the living room with a nanny, who was warned that a distant relative was staying in the house, so Chris just quietly left, trying not to slam the door, and went to the waiting taxi at the side of the road.

  The information in Google is clearly outdated, and instead of pleasant music and dim lights, Chris immediately plunged into an orgy of sounds and a riot of colors. It was too late to leave - the taxi had left, and it was shameful to run just because the evening had radically changed its vector, I didn't want to. I wanted to feel like a normal person, no different from all this crowd, moving on the dance floor and besieging the bar. A trained eye immediately noticed three hunters before adventure: a predatory look, an inviting pose, a slight half-smile on parted lips. In principle, there was no need to wait and not waste time - it was not difficult to remove any of the girls. But Chris decided to remember what it was like to meet a woman at a bar, treat her and walk to her door, waiting for an invitation to enter.

  He sat down on a chair away from the girls and slammed the bar, beckoning the bartender. Soon in front of Chris was a glass of whiskey, in which the ice was slowly melting. In the mirror opposite the counter, you could see the dance floor behind you: laser beams cut through the crowd, snatching out a pink hand or green hair or bright blue lips. Whiskey slipped with pleasant warmth down his throat, slowly but surely kindling a flame in his stomach, and soon his fingers were already beating a beat to the beat of the sounding music, and after the third glass, exchanging a glance with one of the girls at the counter, Chris went to dance.

  The music pounded in my chest with bass, the hot air mixed the smells of heated bodies,

  perfume and alcohol, dizzy. Chris raised his hands, moving between the dancers when he noticed that one of the girls sitting at the counter was dancing very close. Her light dress lifted higher with every movement, her hands slowly slid along her hips, rising to her chest. As soon as she leaned forward slightly, as desire stirred in Chris's groin, he definitely decided on the company for this evening.

  His palms rested on her thighs and made her draw a circle. The girl turned sharply, but recognizing the one she had been looking at all evening, smiled, covering her eyes slightly raised to her temples, leaned back on his chest, invitingly pressing against his hips, and began to move to the beat of the music. Chris's palms slowly rose up, along the waist, to the chest, almost without touching, and suddenly fell sharply on her shoulders, forcing him to slightly bend forward. The girl arched in her back and threw a promising look, perfectly sensing his growing interest resting between her buttocks. She straightened slowly, languidly, and turned around, placing her hands on her shoulders and throwing one leg over Chris's hip. He immediately grabbed her under the buttocks, pressing her closer to him, and carried his nose from the shoulder to the neck, burning with his breath.

  —Maybe we'll have a drink? The stranger asked hoarsely. The rhythm of the music changed, and the tension that arose between them gradually began to demand a more calm atmosphere.

  They found an empty table with a round leather sofa in the very corner of the club - they were lucky, the noisy company had just left, and no one had time to take the vacant place.

  — What will you drink? Chris asked.

  — Tequila, ”the girl said abruptly and introduced herself:“ Laura.

  — Chris. - He smiled white-toothed at the waiter, making an order, and looked at her with a long, meaningful look. - What brings you here?

  — The same as you, ”Laura shrugged, throwing her brown hair from one shoulder to the other. Her dress completely hid her breasts, ending at the collarbones, but through the fabric, the nipples that were not constrained by linen clearly showed through. Chris involuntarily followed his gaze as her breasts rose as her hand moved. Suddenly it flashed in my head:

  “I wonder if Jennifer behaved the same way, proposing to the first comer?” He flashed with anger, so strong that he involuntarily gritted his teeth. At this moment, the waiter was just placing the shots, and Laura did not notice anything, watching as the line of glasses filled with transparent liquid grew.

  — So Laura, - Chris was the first to take the shot from his side, - for a good acquaintance.

  — For the acquaintance, Chris, - she grinned, quickly licking her lips.

  The noise in my head no longer depended on the music that continued to rumble. Laura sat close with her feet on Chris's knees, and while his hand stroked her slowly from ankle to the hem of the dress and back, she slowly kissed his neck, lightly scratching the skin with her teeth.

  — Are you always so timid? - She purred when his fingers once again touched the fabric of the dress and, slightly squeezing his thigh, slid back.

  — Are you in a hurry somewhere? Chris breathed, his breath burning her neck. - Or do you want me to fuck you right here?

  From his words, a tremor went through Laura's body, a fire lit in her eyes, and she licked her lips and asked:

  — To you or to me?

  — I live with friends, ”Chris replied calmly. - But if it is inconvenient for you, we can rent a room.

  — Not worth it. - Laura leaned forward and, not taking her eyes, slowly traced the outline of his lips with her tongue. - It's not far here, we'll walk.

  Chris reached for her to kiss her, but she grinned insolently and put her feet on the floor, looking for shoes. They left the club holding hands, and when they were on the street, Chris pulled her sharply to him and kissed her, immediately penetrating his tongue into his mouth, deeply, greedily. He pulled his hair, throwing his head back, and Laura pressed her whole body against him, groaning as he pushed her against the wall, pressing a stone member into the pubis.
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  — Maybe we can still get home? - With difficulty, she said intermittently, when he began to go down with kisses down his neck. Chris forced himself to pull away with difficulty, straightened up and now looked, panting, mad, coal-black eyes. Then he nodded abruptly and allowed Laura to lead him into the alley. They dodged for half an hour, stopping every now and then to kiss. At the door of a small one-story house, Laura bent down to get the key under the flower pot, and Chris, exhaling, pressed her to him, making several short movements towards him. Laura straightened and tried to hit the keyhole, but her hands were shaking and the ragged breathing above her ear was unnerving. Finally, the lock gave way, and they stepped into the twilight, scattered by the light of the street lamp.

  As soon as the door slammed shut, Laura turned to Chris with a groan, pulling him by the head, digging her fingers into his hair. He grabbed her, forcing her to wrap her legs around her torso, and took a few steps forward, without looking up from his lips, lifting the dress higher, to the waist. Her hands ducked under his shirt, pulled upward, lifting over his head and throwing him somewhere to the side. Hot palms slid across the skin, crushing, scratching, feeling the heartbeat through his ribs. Chris pushed her against the wall, pulling her dress up to her throat, catching her sharp nipples with his lips. Laura tangled her hand in his hair, moving her hips weakly towards him and moaning sweetly. His hand rested on the wet lace, pulling to the side, the finger burst inside sharply, causing a sob, and almost immediately a second joined him. Laura threw back her head, closed eyes, sitting down on his fingers again and again, until is he brought down a hail of feverish, hurried kisses on her breasts.

  — The bed is there, ”Laura moaned, before another sharp movement inside did not make her cry out loudly, shuddering from a bright, short orgasm. She slowly lowered her legs to the floor, feeling that they almost did not hold, and took several steps into the darkness, pulling off her dress and getting rid of her panties on the way. In the dark, her body seemed milky white, and when she spread out on the bed, spreading her legs wide, Chris exhaled, tore at the belt, pulling the jeans together with the underwear.