Read Online Dark Plums by Maria Espinosa - Free Book Online Page B

trembling as she slipped them on over her stockinged feet.
    They took a taxi downtown and got out at Washington Square. With their arms tightly around each other, they walked along the sidewalk, passing dirt mounds where slender trees, supported by wires, grew. The sky had turned grey. A gust of wind whipped the first dead autumn leaves from the square. The wind whipped through Adrianne’s legs and blew her hair up around her face. Lucille pressed against her, nuzzling her ear, caressing one of her breasts.
    â€œDykes!” a man yelled. Adrianne’s face reddened.
    She and Lucille wandered into an Italian restaurant, where they sat down at a table by the window. Lucille ordered white wine. She adjusted her neckline which had slipped down over one shoulder, then leaned forward. “I needed to get away from Barney. I didn’t call you any sooner because I had to be alone for a few days. “
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œBarney wants a divorce. If he files, I’ll take him for all he’s got. That bastard!” She paused and lit a cigarette with shaking fingers on which jewels glittered. “There’s more, but I haven’t drunk enough to tell you! … Tell me about
you
” Lucille commanded. She blew out the match.
    Adrianne proceeded to bring her friend up to date. She described her jobs and where she lived. “I’ve met a man,” she added. “He’s an artist.”
    â€œYou know nothing about men,” Lucille said scornfully. “If he’s anything like Gerald, he’s bad news.”
    Although she felt hurt, Adrianne ignored this remark. “I’m hungry. Let’s order,” she said
    Lucille’s dark eyes had filled with tears, and a thin streak of mascara ran down one cheek. She dabbed her face with her napkin. “Yes, let’s order. Where’s the waiter? I’d like some more wine. Oh, damn, what’s the use of trying to stay on top anymore?”
    â€œWhat’s the matter?”
    â€œDo I mean anything to you?”
    â€œOf course you do.”
    â€œNow that I’m in New York, would you like to live with me?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Adrianne said hesitantly.
    â€œWell, it was just a thought. Is your new boy friend treating you right? You’ve gained weight, and you look spaced out. Are you on drugs?”
    â€œNo, of course not.” Was Lucille saying these things because she was jealous?
    â€œI’m sorry about Barney,” she said, trying to divert Lucille’s attention away from herself.
    â€œI’ll sue him for everything he’s got. He and his new wife can live in a goddamn shack. And I don’t need your pity,” said Lucille. Her eyes blazed darker. “Where is that waiter? Hey, there, boy, we need more wine.”
    The middle-aged waiter flinched and looked as if he were about to speak, but then thought better of it.
    â€œBring the menus, too, please,” Adrianne added. Then she blinked. Was that man standing down there at the corner really Alfredo? He was waiting for the light to change, and he stood exactly the way Alfredo did, with one shoulder slightly curved.
    â€œI’ll be back in a minute!” she cried, running out of the restaurant.
    He had walked halfway down the next block before she finally caught up with him and grabbed him by the arm. “Alfredo?”
    It was indeed Alfredo, and he looked startled. “Adrianne, what are you doing here?”
    â€œI’m having lunch with my friend from Houston, and I want you to meet her. We’re just a block away.”
    Alfredo kept walking, but she kept pace.
    â€œI’ve got an appointment,” he said.
    â€œPlease! Just to say hello, Alfredo. She’s my best friend.”
    â€œOkay, sweetheart. But just for a few minutes.”
    Triumphantly, she led him back and introduced them.
    â€œWould you like to join us for lunch?” Lucille asked. Her eyes glowed with a