Lucy's love affair with Victorian bricks

Chapter 4:

They decided to rent the apartment. Lucy figured she didn't have much time to squander and apartments were almost impossible to find in downtown Olympia. She especially felt in favor of the charming Victorian appeal. She had always wanted to live in a brick building and one so close to her favorite club, the Tropicana, where she would hear her favorite music drifting past her window.

Lucy danced around the empty space as Carlos lugged boxes up the stairs. They were told that the elevator was out of service. Carlos smiled at his new girlfriend.

"I'm glad to see that you like the apartment so much, but can you help me out with moving the boxes? The rental van is due back in a couple of hours."

Lucy darted out of the apartment and she returned with Carlos' stereo. She quickly plugged it in. She whipped out a single from her satchel and placed it on the turntable.

Carlos frowned. "What are you doing? We have a lot of work to do and you are just goofing off."

"No, I have a purpose for my madness. I am christening our new apartment with Ice Cream."

She turned up the volume and Carlos grimaced.

"Who is this band? They can't play their instruments and the singer can't carry a tune. This song will bring us bad luck!"

Lucy giggled. "Lighten up, Carlos. Ice Cream gives me the necessary strength I need to lug up all of those boxes."

Carlos wondered about Lucy. Would he actually be able to live with her when she seemed so flighty? Did she take anything seriously? Would she be able to come up with the rent?

Later that day, Carlos hauled the last box up the stairs and he deposited it on the living room floor. Lucy and Carlos glided over to the large picture window and they looked down at the city street which was littered in autumn leaves and debris from the nightclub. A slight breeze kicked up leaves. Carlos embraced Lucy as Mark had sneaked into the room. He watched his apartment mates kissing.

Mark ambled down the street kicking leaves off the sidewalk. He stared up at the apartment window and noticed that the crazy couple had disappeared. He thought they must have made it to the bedroom and he felt glad he was missing the main attraction. Had he made a mistake moving in with the Latino lover and his Japanese geisha?

Mark entered his favorite café, a drab spot with some art deco splashed around the walls that gave it a bohemian luster. The café reminded him of the Beats and he even heard rumors that Jack Kerouac had spent some time in the café ages ago--different era, thought Mark.

He was seeking comfort or something to rob him of his confusion. He smelled the aroma of the espresso machine, but decided not to drink any coffee. He felt rather jittery and ordered peppermint tea. He looked around the café seeking a familiar face until he spotted Andy and Emma sitting at a cluttered table tucked away in a forgotten corner.

Mark pushed a few coffee cups aside. He pulled out a chair and sighed hoping that Emma, who always seemed sympathetic would notice.

Emma smiled weakly at him and she caressed his wrist. "You look a bit rough."

Andy joined in, "I take it that the move hasn't gone so well. It was rather sudden and Lucy does seem a bit unstable since she met Carlos."

Mark frowned, "I find Carlos to be a bit too macho for her and I've always fancied her."

Emma perked up, "Sorry sweetie, I know of a French woman."

Mark shrugged. "I am not interested in your French woman. She's probably going ethnic these days too." He laughed nervously, "The plight of the Anglo male."

Meanwhile, back at the love den, Lucy and Carlos rolled on the floor of their bedroom. Surrounded by unpacked boxes, Carlos taught his new girlfriend how to kiss properly.

"No! Could you use a little less tongue? Kiss me sensually the way that Bergman kissed Bogart in Casablanca."

Lucy felt like she would suffocate under the weight of Carlos’ machismo.

"The problem with you is that you're old fashion and uptight. Besides everyone knows that movie kisses aren't real. And don't tell me on how to kiss!"

Carlos countered, "I prefer that a woman gives me pleasure."

Lucy shoved him. "I'm not your concubine. Pleasure yourself.”

She grabbed her jeans off of the floor and quickly dressed. She stared at her diminutive girlish body in a mirror and shuddered. She ran into the bathroom.

Carlos felt slighted by Lucy's tantrum shouted, "Que es problema? Come back and play with me, por favor!"

Lucy lugged a box of dishes into the bathroom. She turned on the tub faucet full blast and washed the plates in the tub. She sobbed violently and hoped the sound of the gushing water drowned out her anguish. She didn't want to let Carlos get the best of her even if she realized she had made a mistake moving in with him. Yet, what was the alternative to head back to Tokyo and marry some man plucked out of the crowd by her parents? And if she was swept up in a love affair with a lesbian her family would surely dishonor her. No, she had to stick it out with Carlos and hope for the best.

Later Lucy dialed Natalie's number. She was in the mood for some clubbing and her best pal was always game for checking out their favorite bands and just hanging out.

"Hi, Nat, it's me."

Lucy toyed with the phone as she listened to Natalie's polite questions.

"I don't think so. It doesn't seem to be working out."

Lucy thumbed through the local music paper and sighed.

"Carlos idea of a three course meal is tacos, rice and beans along with Mexican beer. I prefer sushi and sake."

Lucy stared at an ad for her favorite band, Ice Cream. Her spirits perked up.

"Hey, Ice Cream is playing at the Tropicana tonight! Want to go? Okay, I'll meet you there at eight... Carlos? No, it's not his thing."