for rich geriatrics with no sense of adventure in their decaying bones.”
I had to chuckle at Aggie’s tone, which was as dry as the martini she sipped. “Okay. I see him now.”
“Billie Washington. Related to the famous president, apparently. He has a penchant for leggy blondes. Although in our days he used to chase me around. I let him one night, you know.” The shine in her eyes told me there was more to come. When it came to smutty banter, Aggie could hold her own with a bunch of horny frat boys. “Tiny little penis. When he flashed it, I had to try not to giggle. You know how delicate men are about their dicks.”
Having only ever seen one in my life, I just stared back blankly.
“You’re inexperienced, aren’t you?” Aggie sucked on her cigarette, and as she exhaled smoke, she added, “Please don’t tell me you’re still a virgin.”
“No. I’ve got a boyfriend.”
“Oh yes, of course. What does he do?”
“He’s a lawyer.”
“Oh… one of those. Talks and talks endlessly about himself, I suppose. Can talk underwater with marbles in his mouth?”
Laughing at that ridiculous image, I nodded. “He’s chatty.”
She turned and faced me. Her eyes narrowed as they did whenever she burrowed into my mind. As though naked, I even unconsciously crossed my arms.
“He doesn’t please you. You don’t look like a girl in love to me. Although I saw something in you when you arrived. But that’s someone else, I think. You’ve lost your heart to another.”
“I haven’t,” I protested. My eyes traveled to her empty glass. “Shall I get you another?”
“You’re being evasive. But yes, please. Have one too. It will relax you. I’m getting your anxiety.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was that transparent.”
“There. I knew it.”
What was I giving off? I asked myself while standing by the trolley pouring out two martinis.
Careful not to spill anything, I took each step slowly back onto the terrace and set the glass down by Aggie’s side.
I settled back into the comfortable Morticia chair and swallowed a little of the firewater, which made my cheeks fire up.
Aggie watched me drink. “There, you look better already. There’s nothing that a good martini cannot cure.”
“Would you like me to read?” I asked, mostly for my own sanity, because I didn’t feel like making my love life the subject of the moment.
“No. Tell me more about whats-his-name.”
“Justin.”
“Yes. Does he pleasure you in that way?” Her lips twitched into a lopsided grin.
“Well… Yes…”
“He doesn’t, I can tell. Does he make you come?”
My face heated up. “Look, Aggie, I have nothing but admiration for your sharp, inquisitive mind, but would you mind if we didn’t discuss my sex life?”
Her eyebrows drew in. “But what else is there to talk about if one can’t talk about love?”
“I don’t mind talking about love. I’m just a private person, that’s all.”
“I understand. I promise not to mention it. But there is one thing I will throw in. It’s vital that a man learns to pleasure a woman. We’re subtle creatures. Our anatomy’s not as obvious or as big.” She looked up at me with one of her cheeky grins. “If you get my meaning.”
“Would you like to meet a partner?” I asked, in a bid to shift the focus away from me.
“Oh God, no. I’ve had one true love. No man will ever compare to Monty. I have memories.” She touched her heart. “Lots of them. In any case, I’m dry down there. Closed for business.” She raised a brow.
That nearly made me choke, even though I should have been used to Aggie by then.
“Monty was your true love?” I asked.
The way her eyes misted over as she looked into the distance told me that I’d hit a raw nerve. I held back on further questions and sipped my martini instead.
“Look.” Aggie pointed. “There’s Edith. Oh my, she’s using a walker. Poor girl.”
Girl? Edith looked close to a hundred years old.
“Would you like to go out sometime? We could go for a walk in the park. I could even read for you there,” I asked.
“Oh God no. The only time I’ll be leaving here will be on a stretcher.” Aggie lit another cigarette. I noticed her hands shaking a little. That earlier comment about Monty had changed her mood.
“You don’t like the street?”
“I love the street. I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I just don’t like people seeing me like this.”
“But you look great. You have great style, regal posture, and you’re so agile for…”
“For an old