Studying Dante

Chapter 1

March 3^rd, 1998, San Francisco:

On Pier 15 on a chilly and foggy night, a tall, brooding man stood on the weathered wooden planks, looking down at the old man lying lifeless at his feet. He took a cigarette from the silver holder he carried in his pocket and lit it. Taking a deep inhale, he contemplated whether to leave the body there and walk away. His brow furrowed at having to even make this decision. This job was really starting to get to him, though he knew that removing such a dangerous man from the streets of San Fran was a good thing. He decided to dump the man into the bay and leave it at that. The water here was so murky, he would never be found. And he would certainly never be missed.

After rolling the body into the water, he stood up, brushed his hands off. At that moment he heard a noise. As if someone watching had stumbled from their perch. He looked up at the tops of the shipping containers and, seeing nothing there, wondered if he imagined it.

The only light on the dock landed on his face and showed his chiseled jaw line, stark blue eyes, and a slight scruff of beard on his face. He pulled the collar of his coat up slightly to fight off the cold ocean air. He had always enjoyed the water, but not this far north. He preferred a warmer climate.

Deciding he really had heard nothing he pulled his phone out of his pocket and called his boss. Once he heard the phone on the other end of the line pickup, he simply said,

“It’s done. I’m out.”

The tired look on his face betrayed him, showed just how this job was wearing on him. He had always been alone through this, could never attach himself to someone for fear of actually sharing emotions with someone. It was so much easier to do this job when he never had to deal with actual feelings. And surely, he had convinced himself, it would be too dangerous for anyone who dared get close to him.

He just had not planned on her, the woman who would forever alter his existence.

Chapter 2

July 22, 2008, Santa Cruz

Feeling the need to relax in her outdoor hot tub on a perfectly cool summer evening, Fiona Patrick walked to the edge of the tub and lit the candles she had placed around its perimeter. She dropped her robe on the floor, and eased into the water. Pushing the jets button, she leaned against the side and lowered herself into the bubbling water. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back and remembered him: Dante, the almost absurdly handsome hit man. She remembered the last time she had seen him. She had left him in Monaco, wanting more of her. Smiling, she reached up to pull her hair into a twist and clipped it out of the way of the water. Suddenly she heard footsteps approaching. She didn’t need to turn around to know exactly who she would find. He had been on her mind every day for a long time, and she had heard him walk across this floor on many an evening.

He stood behind her, enjoying the view.

“Fiona. It’s been too long.”

Fiona set her jaw slightly, feigning her disdain for the fact that he had shown up here again.

“I never wanted to see you again.”

Dante smiled at this, knowing that their little cat and mouse game had begun yet again.

“Never?”

His eyes twinkled at this, and she could hear the smile in his voice. She turned her head just slightly to the left, so that she could just see his frame over her left shoulder. Taking this as an invitation, Dante unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the chiseled, muscular torso that Fiona found so breathtaking. With one quick motion, he had removed his black leather belt and allowed his trousers to fall gracefully to the floor. She heard him slide his Italian leather loafers off, one foot at a time. She had forgotten how much he enjoyed this little game of theirs.

Dante slid into the hot tub facing Fiona and gave her a half smile. She raised one eyebrow at this, and asked,

“Are you planning something, Dante?” He leaned in close to her, until he was only an inch from her face.

“Yes, my love, I have a plan.”

The kiss he brought her was no less passionate than every one that had come before. He had a talent for making her forget where she was or what she was supposed to be doing with those kisses. She had never understood how he managed to make her lose track of herself so easily. She was not one to stop him, either. She felt herself start to forget again, and she pulled herself away before it was too late. He looked at her and smiled, raising one eyebrow at her,

“Is something wrong, sweetness?” he asked her, with a hint of amusement in his voice. Fiona leaned back against the tub wall again, her head swimming from that kiss. With a deep, slow breath in to calm herself, she whispered only,

“Amazing…”

Dante smiled, and allowed Fiona to remain in her reverie. How he enjoyed seeing her lost in her imagination like this. She was still amazed that he could make her feel so light, so dizzy, and so breathless. He was surprised that she hadn’t gotten used to him yet. The pair remained in the tub as long as they could, and then retired to her bed, worn out from the heat of the water and the heat they always felt whenever they were within three feet of one another. Dante made sure food was delivered regularly for them, and they only got out of bed when it was absolutely necessary.

Four days later, they were still in bed but Dante was aware of the world enough to enjoy the view. Wind gently blew the floor length sheer curtains and the sounds of the ocean reached Fiona's ears as she slowly woke up. Dante watched her move from deep, restful sleep into this new, refreshed state of being. As she opened her eyes upon his face, she realized that Dante was the only person she ever wanted to wake up to. She smiled as she stretched that first perfect full-body stretch of the day.

“You never told me your plan.” Her words felt slightly blurred to her, as she tried to focus on his face.

She lazily draped one arm across his as she said this, and her hand rested such that she could playfully run her fingers through his short hair. She gradually became more awake, and he smiled at her inability to wake up quickly.

“I have to go, I’m sorry.” Dante’s face was suddenly serious as he said this.

Fiona's face fell, although she was used to hearing this from him. She nodded without answering him and looked up to him for a kiss. Dante leaned in to kiss her and then got out of bed. She wrapped herself in the soft, 300-thread count cotton sheets Dante had bought for her, and sat up to watch him get dressed. This always made her a little sad; the pair would have the most incredible escape from the world and suddenly the journey was over and he was leaving.

Dante turned to look at his beautiful Fiona and she thought for a moment she saw his face falter. He quickly recovered, of course, and just gave a little half smile. Fiona lied back down on her bed, and replayed the last four days in her head.

Halloween ... a.k.a. The Best Holiday Ever

Something strange takes over my brain around this time of year. My evil alter-ego takes over, and suddenly I discover that I have covered my front porch in gigantic furry black spiders, more cobwebs than any one person needs, evil disembodied heads, and ghosts, ghouls, and tombstones.

For much of my life I have been deathly afraid of masks. I don't really know why, but every year when all the masks come out at the stores I am immobilized. Yet there is something about covering the house in everything "haunted house" related. I can't be stopped, I keep buying more, and I fear my next move might be something like a zombie on my porch roof.

It doesn't help that no one else on my block decorates. I don't exactly feel the need to make up for their lack of decor, it's more like I feel driven to irritate the crap out of them. Sorry. I do the same thing at Christmas, but I don't put all the weird giant inflatable reindeer and teddy bears out like someone I know. But Halloween particularly elicits this response from me, and I just can't figure it out. Why on earth I would be so fascinated with spiders (of which I am also deathly afraid, thank you very much) and severed heads and the like is beyond me.

It also doesn't help that with every group that comes near our house I hear murmurs of "ooh, look at that" or "wow those pumpkins are amazing". When someone like me gets encouragement like that from people she doesn't even know, well it just exacerbates the situation.

So, pardon me for luring miniature future politicians in costumes onto the three hundred block. Believe me, it's a giant pain in the ass for me too. But oh, how I adore bringing out all the holiday accoutrement. I don't even mind having to find places to store it all. If I have made one person's bad day turn around due to my mummies, vampires, witches, pumpkins, spiders, and ghosts, then I have done my job. Happy Halloween, all, and stay safe.
p.s. enjoy the barrage of horror movies that are on this week!!

Redefining definitions

Every now and then you come across a word that just BEGS to be redefined. Here are some of my favorites. Some of them are not really words in the first place, I'm fairly certain.
1) Fallimento... from the Mob Wars application in Facebook. In this app, it means that you can't place a bounty on yourself.
In my loopy brain, I think it means an indecent sexual act from a minty fresh candy.
2) Non-Filer Syndrome... a clinical definition given to government employees who have evaded paying taxes, claiming that they are depressed.
I think it's what applies to those freaks you see in the Guinness Book of World Records that have ridiculously long fingernails.
3) Sobriquet (pron. so-brick-ay).. means nickname.
I think it means a game of croquet for members of AA. Okay that's a long shot, but I had to take it.
4) Cosmopolite...means a cosmopolitan person (makes sense)
I think it sounds like a very friendly alcoholic drink.
5) Numismatics... the collection and study of coins
I think it applies to all the freaks who put up videos of themselves lip-synching to that Numa Numa song.

Girls In Reality Like Sports (G.I.R.L.S.)

You have no idea how many tries it took to come up with that GIRLS thing. Geez. It's been a long, crappy day in Upstate New York, so pardon me if I'm not at my prime.

So here's the thing. I mean it when I say I like sports. Specifically, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer.... okay I think you get the point. MORE specifically, I am a rabid BoSox fan and I enjoy a Patriots game or two. What? I live in NY, I'm a girl, now you're whole world is crumbling down around you... how can this all be?!?!

Okay, so I was raised by a fairly competitive woman who, as she reads this, is saying "Moi? Competitive? I don't know what you mean...". But she is, and as a result I HATED competition when I was in my formative years. You know, had to do the opposite of my parents. Teen Angst. All that Psych 101 bullshit.

Last year one of my friends (YES, YOU Sarah) taught me about football when she came to my house. We watched an entire New England Patriots game, and by the second half of the game, I was cheering at all the right times, and looking frustrated at all the right times too. She seemed pleased with this situation, and I was just damn impressed that I had sat through an ENTIRE football game. I hadn't done that since high school, when I was in marching band. Oh, boy. I just admitted to you that I was a band geek. Crap.
Shortly after this, say in the spring, Sarah was also responsible for my enjoyment of the Red Sox. I lived in Boston for a few years, even lived within three blocks of Fenway. Never ONCE did I go to a game. I'm now kicking myself for that, since my new goal is to shell out $300 for dugout seats. But I will do it, mark my words.
It's funny to me when people are surprised that I like baseball or football. I realize that being a fan is known as a "guy" thing, but the fact is, I find it really enjoyable. I don't have the ability to rattle off stats the way men can, but the minute Dustin Pedroia steps up to the plate, I know who it is even before I've seen his face, just based on the way he holds the bat. I know all of the routines the batters go through during each at bat. I know that Kevin Youkilis plays first base really well, but that whenever Mike Lowell is on the DL he can switch to third and he's great there, too. I know that Jason Varitek is the best catcher ever, and a very bright team captain. And I know that Jonathon Papelbon is a force to be reckoned with.
I love talking Red Sox with anyone willing to listen. Problem is, I live in New York. Not too many fans around here. Not only that, but you can't find a game on tv unless it happens to be on TBS, or ESPN. Or it's Postseason and they're in the championship. Speaking of which, I really REALLY hope they come up with a new motto next year. If I had heard "There's only one October" one more time I would have to hurt someone. It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

Watching them NOT win the ALCS was painful. Really painful. Here's the difference between men and women. I wanted to cry, but was worried my hubby would mock me ceaselessly. Now that I've opened it up to the public, of course, I am open to your ridicule as well. Damn. Why do I keep doing that?!?

Anyway, long story short, I LIKE SPORTS. And I'm planning on teaching non-sports fans about the joys of baseball. Watch out, men in sports bars around the country. Women are hanging out there, too, and we don't want to get hit on, we just want to watch the damn game.

Ridiculous "News" Headlines

Every now and then I start to feel guilty about not being fully aware of the happenings around the world. When this nagging little feeling starts to really get to me, I will read the "news".

I have learned over the years not to necessarily trust the news, as it is rarely impartial. So instead I have decided to revel in the ridiculousness of it all, and today will celebrate the absurd.

1)

Britney Spears' driver's license case dismissed

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The criminal driving-without-a-license case against Britney Spears in Los Angeles has been dismissed. A mistrial was declared Tuesday morning when jurors said they couldn't come up with a unanimous decision following two full days of deliberations. Jurors were deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquitting the pop singer of any wrongdoing. A couple of hours later, prosecutors said they would not pursue the criminal case further, and the case was dismissed.

It must be nice to be famous. 'Nuff said.

2)Dallas hospital bills woman who never saw a doctor
DALLAS (AP) -- A woman says she waited 19 hours at Parkland Memorial Hospital's emergency department for treatment of a broken leg and never did get to see a doctor - but still got a bill for $162. Amber Joy Milbrodt, who said she broke a bone in her leg while playing volleyball, received the bill two weeks after her Sept. 24 visit....


I totally believe this. When I took my husband to the ER for stitches, we waited four hours, and I had said to the nurse, I bet it'll be fifteen stitches and he needs a tetanus shot. The ER Doc popped his head into the room (not his whole body, just the head) and said "He needs fifteen stitches and a tetanus shot". We never saw him again. The ER billed us $300 and then the doctor's billing service billed us another $300. I paid the first one, and sent a zinger of a letter in place of my check to the second one. Interestingly enough, they were happy to write off the bill.

3)

Woman accused of tending bar in the buff

ALTON, Ill. (AP) -- It's a different take on belly up to the bar. A 24-year-old female bartender in the Mississippi River community of Alton was charged with misdemeanor lewd entertainment after apparently working in the buff. Police arrested the woman last Friday at the Pub Room after someone called to complain.

Authorities said the woman had managed to put on a shirt before officers arrived.

It's not the first time it's happened in that area.

Last month in nearby Jersey County, a 33-year-old bartender at The Cabin Incorporated in Delhi was charged with public indecency after sheriff's deputies found her working nude.

That county's liquor regulators subsequently suspended the tavern's liquor license for 30 days and fined its owner $500.

Now, here's what I want to know: WHO called to complain about the nude 24 year old bartendress? Or maybe a better question is, how ugly was she? I mean I know a lot of guys, and NONE of them would make that phone call.

4)Man nabbed with frozen shrimp bags down his pants
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities said a man tried to steal several bags of frozen shrimp from a supermarket by hiding them down his pants. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported that an off-duty detective was shopping at a Sweetbay supermarket Sunday when he noticed what appeared to be a man with groceries stuffed in his pants....

Wow. I don't know if I could write anything here that is any funnier than the headline alone.

5)

School's fundraising pitch gives alumni the blahs

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (AP) -- An attempt to reach younger donors with a breezily written letter that uses the word "blah" 137 times has some Framingham State College alumni questioning the school's professionalism, judgment and ... blah, blah, blah.

The Sept. 5 letter, signed by the president of the school's alumni association, was sent to about 6,000 recent graduates who hadn't donated to the school. It used standard fundraising pitches, interspersed with sentences of nothing but "blah."

"With the recent economic downturn and loan crisis, it has become even more important for Framingham State College to receive your support. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah," one part of the letter read.

Christopher Hendry, the school's vice president of college advancement, told the MetroWest Daily News of Framingham he approved the letter, which he said was written in a marketing style expected to appeal to younger donors.

Alumnus Ken Shifman, a 2003 graduate, said the letter "insults the intelligence" of alumni.

Wow. I know I said that about the previous story, but ..