A Pretty Pill (21 page)

I close my eyes and sigh.

“Come on Ben.” She asks, squeezing my hand and not letting it go.

“Let me ask the questions then, and at the end of each, I’ll answer my own question.” I demand.

“Okay, but not too loudly, I work at this hospital, I don’t want my colleagues knowing shit about me.” she reasons.

“Okay.” I say, shuffling the chair
over so I’m right up against the bed; so we can continue this conversation at a whisper.  I notice she’s still holding my hand.

“This is like a game of truth or truth!” she says and laughs lightly and then sighs, her hand on her sore head.

“At what age did you lose your virginity?” I ask.

“15.” She answers quickly.

“I was 18.” I say.

“No way!” she says.  “Can I call bullshit?”

“No!  I’m telling the truth.  I was an angry motherfucker before that and all the girls were too scared of me.  The girl that took my virginity was my first and only ever girlfriend; I met her when I moved to Sydney.” I explain.  “This is all going to be truth... 100% truth from me.” I stress.

“Me too!” she states.

“Okay, speaking of partners; number of boyfriends?” I ask.

“Three.” She answers.

“Well you already know I only had one girlfriend.” I say.  “Longest relationship with a partner?” I ask.

“Ten months
, but I need to clarify he wasn’t my boyfriend and we weren’t exclusive.” She answers.

“Was this the bisexual fuck buddy?” I ask.

“Yes!” she responds.

“Then no
, I don’t accept it.” I reason.

“Oh...” she whines.

“No.  Must be just you with them... exclusive!” I explain the rules.

“Then three months.” She answers.

Commitment issues... much?

“Two years!” I answer my own question.

“Wow, two years.  Did she break your heart?” she asks me.

“No
, somebody else did.” I grumble.  She gasps, and goes to pull her hand away, but then stops.  She breaths a moment, and returns her grip.  She looks like she’s fighting an inner war.  I plough on...

“Longest length of celibacy?” I ask.
  This will make her feel better.

“Damn
, how accurate?” she giggles.

“To the month!” I answer, smiling.

She’s doing some calculations in her head...

“I hope it isn’t hurting you to think too hard.” I chuckle.  She grips my hand like a vice
, hoping to hurt me I’m sure, but it doesn’t.

“Sixty-nine!” she laughs.

“Seriously?” I ask.

She nods
, slightly...

“One and a half for the months ending the year after my parents died, and
then seven and a half for this year, equals nine months.  Then add the five years of months; five times twelve is sixty, so sixty nine!” she chuckles.  “That’s so funny!”

I’m laughing lig
htly with her.  I’m thinking its the perfect timing for her to finish that record length of time!

“What about you?” she asks.

“Um... eight months.  I’ve recently eclipsed the previous record of seven months.” I explain.

“Wow
, that’s pretty good for a virile guy!” she congratulates me.

“Okay
, so now! How many guys... actually... first, have you ever done anything with a girl?” I ask, changing the question mid sentence.

“No
, nothing!” she answers.

“I kissed a guy once.” I say.

That’s got her... “Really?” her eyes are wide.

“Yep... I was bet by my girlfriend that I wouldn’t do it.  So I counter
-bet her that I would if she would let us have a threesome with her friend... that was a girl.” I explain.

“And you did
, and you then did?” she asks with her eyes wide open.

“Yes and yes!  A bet’s a bet!” I argue.

“Did you pash... did you like it?” she asks.

“Yes, we pashed... and
really, I didn’t feel anything at all; maybe because I kept thinking it was a means to an end!  Probably like an actor feels about that stuff!  I didn’t kiss him for long though.” I explain.

“Right!” she
almost silently breaths.  She’s almost, impressed?  Weird!

“And the threesome?”
she asks.

“Amazing
, and I’ve ended up having a few since with some random women, but I wouldn’t ever do it again in the confines of a relationship!” I answer and explain.

“Oh, why?” she asks.

“It was the reason we broke up.” I answer.

“
I’m not into it, but I think it’s hot for guys. I’d have totally done two guys back in the day; I just didn’t get the opportunity, but not these days!” She enthuses, and then chuckles.

“So, that brings us to the question of numbers
. How many Jade?” I ask her pointedly.

“Give me a moment... I need to think, it was a long time ago... I have an idea
, but... um!” she says, closing her eyes and counting softly to herself while moving her lips.

I’m thinking she’s in double digits
, but probably barely.

“Thirty-two?” she says unsure.

My eyebrows go way up.  She’s clocked up more than half of my number in less than half the time.  Our average for time ratio is heavily weighted towards her.

She gives me a shrug... “Uni for two years bumped it up pretty high.  I have a friend that’s way past that now... like, by lots!” she says nodding her head.

“No, that’s cool... you’re a reborn virgin now anyway!” I say... and I bet she kind of is, unless she’s kept herself busy down there.

“And you?” she asks.

“Fifty-three.” I answer.

“Oh come on
, a guy like you over several years?  Are you sure you’re not missing a couple of years counting in there somewhere?” she asks me suspiciously.

“
Hey, I’m once again telling the honest truth... I
date
in spits and spurts.  When I’m fighting a lot, I don’t date. I’ve found I get a lot more action towards the end of the season. So, the first two are my ex-girlfriend and the friend we both hooked up with, and then after that there are fifty-one one night stands.” I explain.  “Some of them more than one at a time.” I smile cheekily.

“When you put it all together like we just have; we’re about as bad as each other!” she laughs.

“Well it’s been a sordid conversation, but thanks for taking my mind of some dark shit!” I say.

“No problem.” She says, and takes her hand out of my hand and begins to smooth it over my shoulders in a caressing motion.

Fuck... I wish she felt the way that I feel!

Jade.

I haven’t been to work since my concussion, and won’t go back till Wednesday.

Today is Silas’ birthday, and he’s staying home.  We’re going on a ride after he wakes up
, and since I’m not able to ride because of my recent head injury, Ben’s doubling me.  He’ll come and collect me, and then he just wants to stop in at his place so Silas can see his Mum; because she has a present for him.  They’ve already hit it off, when he’s gone over to their house on the weekends, more recently I have been joining them. 

And then we’ll be heading off for Dungog, because Silas wants to grab lunch up there.

Tonight we’re going to Beaumont Street, to have dinner there at a popular bar and restaurant.  We’ll probably stay on there for a bit, but Shae’s underage, so she’ll be leaving with her parents after dinner.  Silas is kind of keen to be back from our ride by the time school finishes for the day, so he can spend the entire afternoon with her... so I’m expecting he’ll be up soon.

Speak of the devil...

“Jade?” Silas calls through my bedroom door.  It’s 9:00am.

“Come in.” I chime.

Silas enters... he’s not looking as well rested as I’d hope, for someone who was able to sleep in well past his normal 6:00am wake up time.

“Happy Birthday!” I enthuse.  Putting my arms up, so he’ll come to me as I’m lying in my bed and get a cuddle.... which he does.

Climbing up next to me, he falls with his back up against me so I can hug him from behind.

“Thanks.” He says groggily.

“What time did you get to bed?” I ask him.

“After 2.” He groans.

“Silas!  Why?” I chide.

“I was up playing online because I knew I could sleep in today.” He answers.

“You look wasted!” I accuse.

“I feel wasted.” He says.

“We should call the bike ride off.” I reason.

“No fucking way... it’s my birthday, and it’s what I wanted to do!” he says.

“You’ll fall asleep on the bike.” I argue.

“No I won’t... I’ll have an energy drink.” He counter-argues.

“You haven’t been sleeping too well this week...” I begin.

“I’ve been too excited about today!” he interrupts.

“I know... but it worries me.  We need to be careful.  You know how things can flip pretty rapidly.” I explain, perhaps unnecessarily.

“Yeah, I know.” He sighs.

“You’re not allowed to drink too heavy tonight... especially since you’re tired.” I argue.

“It’s my birthday!  It’s a rite of passage!” he argues.

“Perhaps... but you know the meds you take don’t mix well with alcohol.” I make clear.

“Yes nurse Jade.” He responds.

“Just pace yourself... I’m going tell Ben about it too.” I clarify.

“Wow... you’re a party pooper!” he says.

“I’m a worried mother-hen!” I counter.

He laughs at that.

“So what did you get me for my birthday?”  He asks.

“It’s in the envelope there.” I point beside him to the bedside table.

“A card?” he questions.

“Stop being a dork and open the thing!” I request.

He rips the envelope open and starts reading the front of the card.  Then he opens it and the gift voucher falls out onto his face.

“Oh...” he says, lifting the voucher back up to see what it says.  “”Holy shit... holy shit... fuck me, holy shit!” he curses.

“You like it?” I ask.

“Holy shit Jade.” He curses again.

“You’ve said that already!” I laugh.

“You’re a fucking legend!” he shouts, turning sharply and giving me a bone crushing hug...
no really, he’s killing me, and I’m having to tap out.

“I’m having breakfast, and then I’m going to call Ben.” Silas says, jumping off the bed.

I’m just glad he got off me.  I’m quickly learning how to breathe again.

Ben.

I’m knocking on the door, and Silas pulls it open before I finish my tapping.  His grin says it all.  The day has started off well.

He’s already ready.

“Jade’s in her room putting her boots on.” He informs.

“Well, here you go.” I say, handing him a gift bag.

He looks at me, “You didn’t have to buy me anything.” He says, grinning.

“Meh,” I shrug and watch as he pulls out the riding gloves and a nice strong, handmade leather belt I saw him eyeing off at the markets the other weekend.

“Shit... thanks!” he enthuses and smacks me on the arm.

“No worries buddy, I might just see if Jade’s ready!” I say.

“Yeah, I’ll just get my bike out, you on the street?” he asks.

“In the drive, but I’m backed in ready to take off.” I explain.

“Cool.” He says, nodding and taking his belt into his room.

I make my way to Jade’s door, and tap it lightly.

“Come in.” She says from inside.

I came into this room for the first time on Wednesday, after I brought her home from the hospital.  And I still feel nervous.

It’s a nice bedroom.

Queen sized wooden slat bed... lots of pillows, rustic coloured linen.

The matching wardrobe to Silas’.

Two bedside tables with drawers, matching the robe.  They both have matching leadlight lamps on them.

A wooden blanket box under the bay window.

A dressing table, Queen Anne style, with a little padded stool underneath.

A huge, long
panoramic photo over the bed, framed in old weathered fence palings... of a Snowy Mountain forest scene...

And lots of dragon figurines and ornaments.

I get the idea she likes dragons.

“Hi,” I say after opening the door.  I’m leant up against the door frame.  “Ready?”  I ask.

“Almost.” She answers, looking up at me with her beautiful green eyes.  Whenever she does that, coupled with a pouty smile, my heart clenches and my insides turn to molten lava.  I wonder how I’m going to get through today with her pushed up behind me.  I wonder if she’ll be one of those passengers that hold onto me or hold the rack I’ve had to put on my bike yesterday, so she doesn’t slip off the back.