Lucy called me. I was at home reading a book, almost ready for bed when the phone had rung.
"What are you doing?" she asked me when I picked up.
"Nothing," I replied.
"My friend wants to meet you," said Lucy enthusiastically. "Can you be here soon?"
"Sure," I replied. "Just give me some time to get ready."
"Okay." She hung up.
Lucy was my girlfriend. We've been going out for about a month now, but haven't done much since we're working all the time. Plus this was pretty much my first relationship and I wasn't sure what to do. She was cool with it though.
I put on my blue jeans with a flannel long-sleeved shirt. It had blue and black checkers. I liked it. It was pretty stylish or was meant to be. Maybe I was behind the times? I covered it up with my black leather jacket. I decided to call a cab because I missed the bus. For someone who was trying to be cool, I sure needed a car.
The cab came by and the ride was pretty smooth. There was a no-smoking sign on the window so I couldn't smoke, but that was fine because I didn't really smoke. I wanted to. It wasn't a craving, just a wish, a thought. I wanted to be bad, but I didn't really.
We finally arrived at Lucy's house. I paid the fare and knocked on the door. A gentleman always knocks. "It's open!" she yelled. To my surprise I opened the door. It was dark, but I closed the door and took off my black leather jacket and wiped off my shoes.
They're all in the kitchen. The kitchen is bright, dishes in the sink, and at the table two people are playing cards: Lucy and some guy. Lucy is wearing an Adidas t-shirt with maroon jogging pants. The guy is wearing a green t-shirt, blue jeans with a studded black belt. I waved nervously, looking around for an extra chair.
A blonde-haired girl wearing a yellow blouse revealing her midriff and tight blue jeans smiled at me. She was standing behind the guy's chair with her arms around his neck loosely. One of those arms stretched out to shake my hand. Her hand felt smoothly dry, her eyes peering into me softly as she said, "Hi, I'm Lynn, it's nice to meet you, Ben."
Lucy growled at the guy, throwing down her cards. "I win again bitch!"
Lynn shook her head. "This is Darren, my boyfriend and don't be shy, have a seat!" She nodded to the chair beside Lucy that was piled with phone books.
"Okay," I said taking the books and putting them on another empty chair. Lynn smiled approvingly. I think she had wanted to laugh. I didn't see what was so funny. I sat down next to Lucy.
"You can come closer, you know," said Lucy picking up 5 cards for another round. "We're playing Speed."
"I think I've played that before." The chair felt stiff and I wanted to put my arm around Lucy. I think she was close to me. She had leaned towards me, so I tried not to get too close because I didn't want to crowd her.
"Lucy can show you." Lynn gave a wry smile then kissed her boyfriend on the cheek, watching me from the corner of her eye. I looked away quickly.
"Don't they make a good couple?" Lucy smiled at the cards in her hand. "So there's a two down, so you can either put down a—"
I put down a 3, 4, 5, and a 6 all at the same time, and then picked up another four cards.
Lucy gasped. "Guess you know how to play."
Lynn squeezed Darren's shoulder lightly.
"Oh my god, Lynn," whined Darren, "those two are beating me!"
"Well, baby, beat them back." She kissed him on the lips and I could almost hear the light smacking sound. It sent a shiver through me. I glanced over at Lucy's face. She was looking at the cards. I saw her lips, light pink. Lynn's were fiery red. "Can I get you something to drink, Ben?"
"Sorry?"
"A drink? You look thirsty. Figure while I was getting myself a water, I'd get you something?" She put her hands on her hips, her thumbs inside her jeans. I wasn't sure if she'd pull them off. I noticed her nail polish, it was light red.
"Sure." I smiled. "Thank you."
"You're quite welcome." Lynn pinched Darren's side lightly. "Beat 'em real good, real hard."
Lynn sauntered over to the sink, grabbing two glasses gingerly while I played out the game with Lucy watching over me impressed. The movement of my hands guided the cards deftly, softly. Lucy leaned close to me. I shrunk in my chair. Darren tried to counter. I could feel my throat getting dry. I watched Darren's eyes to figure out his next move. Lucy glanced at my eyes. I heard a clinging sound. I turned my head and saw Lynn's face. Her red lips, sparkling eyes.
"Your water, your majesty." Lynn laughed, and then walked over to Darren, swaying her hips. "How we doing?"
"He's kicking my ass!"
Lynn took a big sip of water. "Sounds like we have a stud in our midst, Lucy?"
"Shut up Lynn, you're embarrassing him."
"Wow, Darren, he won!" Lynn licked her lips together and smiled. "You have an amazing boyfriend Lucy." Lynn tilted her head slightly, then darted her eyes at Lucy. "Maybe you should…congratulate him." Lynn gave her a wink.
Lucy shuffled the cards noisily and dealt them for another round of Speed.
"Excuse us, Darren and Ben, Lucy and I are just going to talk." Lynn glared at Lucy and dragged her from her chair. "We'll be back. Oh, and Ben, go easy on him. It's sort of his first time." She winked.
When they left, Darren picked up his cards. He smiled shyly. "I'm not really good at this."
"Don't worry, it's easy." I picked up my cards and slowed down for him so he wouldn't be overwhelmed. I knew Speed was the name of the game, but it wasn't really about how fast you went, it was all about the pacing.
He won.
"I won, I won!" screamed Darren enthusiastically.
"Yes," I replied, "yes you did." I was happy to have given him the satisfaction.
"Screaming already?" asked Lynn waltzing back to the kitchen, swinging her arms.
