Conversations With Jack & Diane
Loverboy
The annual Hawaii County fair was in town. The 50th
anniversary of the event actually. And judging from the crowds it
seemed as if the whole town had come out to celebrate. Jack was
in the “Beer Garden”, as per usual, his favorite place to be during
the five days and nights that the fair ran. Jan, Jack’s wife, was
somewhere around, probably at one of the many craft tents.
As Jack returned to his table he saw Diane out the corner of
his eye. Actually it was more of a feeling than a sighting. When
he turned, there she was, standing in the corner of the Beer Garden
in the arms of a man. And it wasn’t Fred neither.
He was too stunned to move, beer mug still held out in
front of him, foam running over it’s brim.
Diane was kissing the man. Diane was kissing the big
strapping guy smack on the lips. And it wasn’t a brotherly kiss
either. Jack concluded from what he saw that tongues were
involved. He blinked as someone came up behind him. He moved
forward with choppy steps, his gaze riveted on Diane and the
handsome young man. He finally stumbled to his table and sat
down, his eyes never leaving the unbelievable scene of his best
friend, who professed undying love for her husband, wrapped in
the arms of a stranger. Well a stranger to him anyway.
He sat and lost himself in the big mug of beer, his thoughts
scrambled and racing, the minutes drifting by in a blur.
“Hi Jackieboy,” came a voice from above his bowed head.
He looked up slowly, his mind still clouded by what he had seen earlier.
“Hiya Diane,” he said with feigned surprize. “Fancy
meeting you here...”
She sat down. “Come off it Jack,” she chuckled, setting
her own mug of beer on the table. “I saw you staring at us like a
crazed simpleton.”
He pursed his lips. “I take acception to the term crazed,”
he edited, lifting the mug to his lips. He blinked his eyes and
shook his head once. “Who the hell is that guy anyway?”
Diane leaned back in her chair, draining her drink. “He’s
my lover Jack.” She sat the cup down with a thud. “Wanna make
something of it?” That obviously had not been her first beer. “Go
ahead big man, tell me what a slut you think I am. Go ahead. Go
ahead!” she dared, somewhat unsteady with her diction.
“Hey Diane,” Jack told her straight. “If you wanna make a
scene go ahead. Scream your drunken head off for all I care.” He
hoisted his beer and smiled.
“Happy, aren’t you,” Diane sneered.
“About what pray tell,” Jack chuckled, draining his own
mug. He called over a waitress. “Two beers sweetie.” The young,
voluptuous woman plopped down a pair of foaming mugs. Jack
paid her the five bucks and she moved along her route.
“You are most happy indeed,” she muttered into the fresh
drink, taking a long draught. “Happy that I’ve compromised my
life.”
“Wrong!” Jack assured her. “Actually,” he admitted. “I’m
happy because this is the first time that you’ve been drunker then
me.” He laughed with great mirth.
“Very fucking funny Jack. Here I am making a spectacle
of myself in public and all you care about is that I’m drunker than
you.” She took another sip of beer. “But I don’t give a flying god
damn anymore. I’m bored.” She leaned over the table toward
Jack, her usually sweet breath sour with the smell of beer.
“Wanna know something Jack?” she asked, giggling with
inebriated glee.
“Sure love. Go ahead and share your little secret.”
“Don’t patronize me you sniveling little bastard you!”
Jack leaned back, a big wide grin shinning across his face.
“Sniveling little bastard,” he echoed, his gaze rising to the palm
woven roof above. “I like it,” he nodded. “I think you should
refer to me as such in the future.”
“Shut the hell up,” Diane ordered. “And get over here!”
She reached across the table and grabbed Jack around the neck,
pulling him toward her, their lips coming together hard. She held
him tight as a vice and kissed him deep, her tongue exploring his
mouth.
“Ahh...” she moaned as she broke the embrace and sat back
down. “You don’t kiss as good as my lover,” she laughed, hoisting
her mug yet again.
“Yeah,” Jack retaliated instantly. “But I’ll bet he isn’t as
well hung as I am.”
“Well I wouldn’t know about that Jack, now would I.” She
stared at him for a moment. “Care to let me find out for myself?”
She laughed drunkenly and pounded the table with her closed fists.
Jack had never seen her act in such a rowdy manner. She was
always so reserved and feminine. He kinda liked the new Diane...
“Well Jack...!” she persisted.
“Maybe another time,” he responded flatly. “When you’re
not so drunk.”
“Chicken shit!” she shouted, her voice just one more
utterance in the loud surroundings.
Jack shrugged, changing the subject. He looked around the
garden. “Where’d the little shit go anyway?”
“He had too leave,” Diane frowned. “He’s got classes in
the morning.”
“He’s a professor?” Jack queried.
“No,” Diane shook her head. “A grad-student.”
“Geez Diane...” he nearly choked. “What the hell can a kid
like that possibly give you that Fred can’t?”
She smiled, arching her brow. “A good hard fuck Jack!
That’s what. So sue me why don’t you.” She waved her hand
dismissively, taking another draught of beer.
Jack rubbed his tired eyes, yawning into his hands. He
wasn’t sleepy, just tired. Silence reined between them for several
minutes.
“Do I disgust you?” Diane finally asked. Jack raised his
gaze to hers. She was crying. He shook his head.
“No sweetie. Of course not.” He smiled. “I know what
it’s like to be lonely.” He reached across the table and held her
face in the palm of his hand. Touching her always made him feel
so warm. She leaned the soft of her cheek into his carressing
fingers, her blue eyes closing in contentment.
“I knew you’d understand,” she whispered, slowly drifting
forward as the alcohol finally started getting the better of her.
“Let me take you home love,” Jack offered, not the
slightest hint of force in his tone. “Come on sweetie,” he urged,
helping Diane to her feet, his strong arm softly gliding around her
waist as he guided her from the noisy beer garden. They faded into
the dark, dark night and the promise of the sweet sleep that
awaited all that entered her realm.
The End
Unpublished Works © 1997 GJB
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