Almost Never A Novel

48


Seesawing, constant shiftings, wishes cut short, a sudden braking and a sudden brutal acceleration. Thus the pace. Let’s call them “capitular jumps,” which made the trip one of constant renewal (so to speak) from one surprise to the next.

Renata, feeling like a very tender wife, wanted to cling to Demetrio’s arm. We could say that he drove with one hand, the skillful devil, believe it or not. He freed himself from her grip only to change gears: One moment, many one moments, and she allowed him the moment.

There were lapses in their conversation, which, if they could be drawn, would be shaped like protuberances, something that rose oblong, and oblong descended, the peak being two or three vigorous sentences, then a waning, for the emotions seemed to have a high degree of ephemeral intensity and … the silence lasted … and new waves, new protuberances and … Out of everything they talked about during the trip, we will highlight the following:

“Listen, my love,” Demetrio began, “I need to tell you something.”

“What? Dearest. Tell me,” said his beloved.

“When we move to Parras, we’ll have our own room in my mother’s house.”

“We are going to live with your mother?”

“For a little while. I figure about two months.”

“What about our privacy?”

“Our room is very private, and my mother is very discreet, more than you can ever imagine. In addition, I am making so much money at the pool hall that we will soon have an enormous house on the outskirts of Parras. I can even promise you that.”

“I will go wherever you take me. But I want privacy. A lot of privacy.”

“Really?”

“Yes, yes. Don’t forget that.”

Demetrio turned and planted a solid kiss on her cheek. Explosive surprise. She wiped off the bit of saliva left by the furtive smear: her fingers were trembling.

“Don’t do that again. Wait till we get to the hotel in Piedras Negras.”

Wait, wait, wait, wait. Penitence. Repressive feints. Desire on the verge. Insidious respect, still. How much longer till … ? Pain below. Pain above. Pain—where?

“You can’t wait, can you?”

“To tell the truth, no … I want, I want …”

“Me too, but you must understand …”