Going to Jamaica

CHAPTER 1

It was 8:30 and Lou was late. Rushing now to get out of the house, grabbing his coat, dropping his keys, stumbling as he ran, muttering late-night recriminations. Every morning the same thing, but then what can you expect if you’re out every night screwing around.

I’ll never make it in time, he thought, knowing that the consequences of his being late would be an annoying, and quite unnecessary, lecture from Judge, fat ass, Weiss. Who, it is fair to say, was Lou’s nemesis ever since he had him reversed because of judicial misconduct during the course of a trial. Weiss hated him ever since. Everyone knew that.

I presume you have an alarm clock, counselor? … Late meeting (with a smirk), Councilman?

That son of a bitch. How the hell he ever became a judge, I’ll never know. Although of course he did know that Weiss became a judge just like everyone else does, by knowing someone who knows someone who knows the governor who appointed him.

It was five to nine when Lou got to the courthouse, and for once there was a space in the parking lot. He slid into it, shut off the engine, and grabbed his briefcase. And that’s when he noticed her walking towards the Court House. To say she was outstanding would be a gross understatement. At least six feet tall with heels, black hair pulled back tight. Black eyes, high yella complexion, her skirt flush against her legs. A beauty, an absolute beauty. Is that something, he thought. Oh my God, is that something? Lou moved quickly, almost running, trying to catch up. Her walk was languid but fast and he had some difficulties getting to her, but there was no way he was going to let her get away. No way. And he didn’t. He caught up with her—out of breath—but he got her.

Good morning! he yelled from five feet away.

She turned slightly. Good morning, she answered softly, appearing somewhat startled.

And then, catching up, Going to court?

She nodded.

Where are you going? I’m a lawyer, I probably could help you find where you have to go.

She kept walking. I’m not sure, she said. I have to meet my lawyer and I forgot the name of the Judge. But I’ll find him.

Listen, he said, I got to be before Judge Weiss. He’s on the tenth floor. If you get lost, come up there and maybe I can help you.

We’ll see, she said.

Tenth floor.

Damn, she was sweet. But he was late and he had to get going. Two minutes late and the prick, Weiss, would threaten you with contempt and give you his usual fucking lecture about being on time and how when I was a lawyer crap. Lou bolted into the rear door of the courthouse, almost bumping into a wall as he turned to take another look at her. Running, he caught the elevator just as it was about to close, joining four bad-ass looking dudes who were obviously on their way to the Criminal Court on the fifteenth floor and who would sure as hell have mugged him in a minute if Lou was going to the sixteenth floor and they had the time. At the tenth floor, Lou left his would-be assailants and rushed into the courtroom where Weiss was already on the bench, blasting a lawyer for some bullshit or other. One of these days I’m gonna get that fucking Weiss, he thought. Just wait until I win the election. Just wait, then he’s had it. If he begged me to reappoint him—I mean begged me—I wouldn’t do it. The prick.

All these fucking judges think they’re anointed. The biggest hacks, the title searchers who never stepped foot in a courtroom in their lives, the ones just scraping by, they all think they’re Benjamin Cardozos when they take the bench. Christ, what a prick he is. They all are. If they ever asked me to be a judge, I would tell them to shove it. No way. I mean, could you imagine spending your entire life eating lunch with other judges? Except the pension … Still, talk about boring. Weiss wouldn’t stop talking. It’s amazing how the guy could make a speech at nine o’clock in the morning. Come on, Weiss, hurry up. I got to get to the office, and then I got to go to the track. I have a big day. So hurry up. Geez, is he slow or what? Pontificates about everything. What did that guy say? The fourth race? Yeah, that was it, but what the hell is that horse’s name? Fast Track. Fast Buck. Fast Fuck. Something like that. Wait! Wait! It was Fava. Yeah that’s the name. If it goes off at ten to one, at five hundred, that’s … For Christ sake hurry up … Geez, about time. OK, Lou baby, you’re up. If the court please (you asshole). Etc. Etc. Etc. What the hell did I just say? oh, the heck with it. I got to run. Thank you, Judge. (Thank you, asshole).

She was standing alone at the elevator when he got there. Man is she delicious. If I can only have one feel, he thought, and wondered whether there was a security camera in the elevator.

Hey, how are you doing? Did you find your lawyer? he said, almost killing himself to act casual.

The case was adjourned and my lawyer didn’t tell me. So I came here for nothing, she whined. But God, what a whine-like a mating call.

That’s too bad, he murmured. But then it’s a good thing you did, because otherwise you wouldn’t have met me.

She smiled and said, And I ran out without breakfast or even a cup of coffee.

A come on? It sure as hell seemed like it, so pounce, baby, pounce. Really? Then how about letting me buy you a cup of coffee and some breakfast? You can have anything you want. How’s that?

She looked at him with some curiosity and, it seemed to Lou, with a touch, just a touch, of interest. Well, I don’t know, she said.

Come on, Lou countered. You can have a Danish, or even some eggs, if you want. Want a steak? How about a drink? I’ll buy it for you. When I invite a lady for breakfast, I don’t fool around. What do you say?

She hesitated, just a fraction of a second, a slight tease perhaps, before she said, Okay, sure, but it’s too early for a drink.

Thank you, God, he thought and said Where do you want to go?

Anywhere you want, she answered.

Did I hear that right, he thought, anywhere? Back seat of my car? My apartment? And then Lou said, so as not to push it, Well, there’s a coffee shop across the street, why don’t we go there?

Lou didn’t walk to the coffee shop. He hopped, skipped and flew there, or at least it felt that way. I’m gonna make out. I know it. I’m gonna score. I can feel it. Is she sweet. Oh baby, is she sweet.

So what do you do? he asked as he glanced at the waitress with the big tits.

A little of this and that, she answered softly. Actually, I’m looking for work right now.

Really? Maybe I can help. I know a lot of people.

I’m looking around, she said. But I can’t use a computer or anything like that, which makes it hard. But I’m willing to learn. If you know anybody, let me know. By the way, my name is Darlene.

I’m Lou. I’m a lawyer. That’s what I do for a living. That’s my vocation. But my avocation is lover.

She didn’t wince. Not one hint of his being out of line. That’s nice, she said. Of course, all you guys who claim to be lovers usually aren’t very good.

Did she really say that? Did she say that? This is too good to be true. And then he felt her knee. Sure as hell, her knee was hitting his knee under the table. There it is again. There! Damn! I’m gettin’ a hard-on. Oh, God is she sweet!

Listen, Lou said. Do you live around here? I mean, how are you going to get home? I don’t have anything to do right now, so I can drive you if you want. (Screw the office).

You don’t have to, she said without conviction. I was going to take a No. 2 crosstown bus.

A bus? Lou grimaced. Why would you take a bus when you got this good-looking lawyer who can take you home? Come on, I’ll drive you. What do you say? Why take a bus? Besides, its probably going to rain.

It’s beautiful outside.

Yeah, but it might rain tomorrow. Who knows?

She laughed and looked at him and with a slight grin on her face said after a moment that seemed like eternity, All right, Lou, you can take me home. But I’m telling you, I live near the Irvington line, probably way out of your way. But if you want to, it’s OK with me. Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.

"Are you kidding? You’re not imposing. I want to take you home.

Why should you take a bus?"

He got up and paid. The fire in his groin was incredible.

Well, thanks a lot, Lou, she said. "I appreciate it. To tell you the truth, I really didn’t want to bother taking a bus. It’s such a pain in the ass.

I know. I know, he said. So now you don’t have to because you got me as your personal chauffeur. In fact you don’t ever have to take a bus again, because I’ll be your chauffeur. All you have to do is call and I’ll be there.

She smiled. Nice car, what kind is it?

A BMW. I’ve had it for a while. You like it?

Yeah, sure do. Says something about its owner.

She’s interested, no doubt about it, he thought.

Should I take the Avenue south or what? he asked.

Yes, she said. And then cut over to Courtland.

The drive took about half an hour, the longest fucking half-hour he ever drove. If I didn’t have those damn speeding tickets, he thought, I could make it in ten minutes. Man, this woman is something … Damn lights. Change already. Come on, hurry up!

Finally, she motioned him to stop. Here it is.

He stopped in front of an apartment building. Not too nice, but not too shabby. A kind of nondescript place in a neighborhood that was okay, but which you could see was turning the corner on its way downhill. Lou parked, got out and opened the door for her. She slithered from the car like a snake, like a deadly, cunning, but very beautiful snake. Oh God, he thought. And because Lou wasn’t a poet and couldn’t do any better, thought again what he had been thinking from the moment he first laid eyes on her. Is she something? Is she something?

Listen, he said. Why don’t I come up? And then for a moment thought that maybe he was coming on too fast, but only for a moment. You know, in case there’s a burglar in the apartment, I could protect you. Well, at least I can talk to him. Maybe convince him of the errors of his ways. That I can do. I mean I went to law school to learn how to bullshit.

You’re cute, she said, smiling. But I don’t know.

Come on, just for a cup of coffee, he countered. You know, get to know each other. And maybe this weekend, we could do something. The legitimacy of a real date. Hey, it worked before.

Well, I don’t usually have men in my apartment. Christ, was she luscious or what?

I’m not a man, I’m a lawyer, and I uphold the law.

OK, OK. She laughed, waving to the two dudes sitting on the stoop, one of whom winked as she and Lou walked by into the lobby of the building. In a few minutes they were in her apartment.

Nice place, he said, glancing at the crucifix on the wall.

Do you like it?

I do. I do. It’s beautiful.

She laughed and stood in front of him. How about some coffee? Why don’t we just wait a minute, Lou said. Let’s talk for awhile.

OK, she said and sat on the couch.

Lou sat along side of her and put his arm on her shoulder.

You’re beautiful, he said.

You pretty handsome yourself, she said, leaning towards him.

Lou took her in his arms. She didn’t resist. Oh, thank you, God, he thought, and kissed her, driving his tongue hard into her mouth.

She moved