“I’ll just hurt you” said Max.
“And why is that?” Jesse replied, crossing her arms.
“I just know, all right?”
“No, I don’t think you do. It’s fear of commitment plain and simple.”
“I wish it only were…”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m bad news Jessie.”
“Like a robbery or tsunami?”
“Worse.”
“You presume to think a relationship with you is the
equal to mass displacement and death on a scale to rival Haiti or New Orleans?”
“Of course. And now
you see the gravity of the situation.”
“Your arrogance?”
“Precisely, among other things.”
“I’ve dated arrogant men before; men that really were. You just think you are.”
“Obviously those relationships didn’t work, so why would
you think this one has a shot?”
“Why do you say that?
They worked. I parted pleasantly
with several, it was only circumstance, distance and the like.”
“Sure.”
“Stop minimalizing everything I say!”
“Can’t help it. I’m
an ass. Is that really the sort of man
you should keep chasing after?”
“I think there’s something deeper you’re not saying; some
inner fear or insecurity.”
“Contrary to the female’s popular belief, men really aren’t
that deep. We tell it like it is unless
we’re cheating.”
“Are you cheating then?”
“How would I do that?
I’m not involved with anyone.”
“What about me?”
“Well, apart from your mental candyland, no.”
“That really hurts.”
“It doesn’t have to; find someone who’s right for you.”
“But that’s YOU! You’ve got to realize that by now!”
“I didn’t want to tell you this but… I have a dark past.”
“How dark?
“Deep space.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“I’ve killed and I’ll do it again!”
“Then kill me. Go
ahead. I have nothing to live for if you
reject me.”
“But all I’ve done is reject you and if I’m not mistaken
you’re still kickin.’”
“Fine,” Jesse mumbled, making her way to a nearby drawer. She drew a large bread knife and held it to
her throat.
“What are you doing?”
“If you don’t kiss me by the time I count to ten I’ll
drench the carpet with my blood.”
“Honestly,” replied Max stepping toward her. Jesse held the knife closer. Blood trickled from a slight cut. “Put the knife back, already!”
“One!” she screamed.
“Don’t make me beg!”
“Two!”
“This won’t change anything!”
“Three!”
“I’d only be kissing you to save a life!”
“Four!”
“Jesse, okay, I’ll admit it; I feel something but it’s
very deep and barely there.”
“Five!”
“Also, it’s impractical to act on!”
“Six!”
“Please, stop! I’ll
only ruin you!”
“You’ll ruin me either way at this point, at least with
one of them I’ll be alive! Seven!”
“This is insane!
Take a breath and calm down!”
“Eight!”
“Jesus, Jessie!”
“Nine!”
“You win! I’ll
kiss you all night and for the rest of my life if I have to!”
“Good,” said Jesse, returning the knife to its
drawer. Max strode over, grabbing her
around the waist. She smiled as they
kissed; all night.
How perfectly synchronistic that Amy Winehouse is serenading me with "Me and Mr. Jones" while I read this. I love it. Why, I was just counting sharp, pointed knives (I have quite the collection: a pair of dragon knives that slide into each other to form a two-headed dragon AND an original imitation Hattori Hanzo Samuri sword from Kill Bill) so I completely zoned out once the bread knive appeared. I was wanting to loan her one of my VERY sharp little toys.
ReplyDeleteLove the line: "Contrary to the female’s popular belief, men really aren’t that deep." Snicker, snicker. Ain't that just the truest words that were ever written. I'm high on caffeine this a.m. Pardon the rant. xo
Que bonito Ben, I love it!
ReplyDeleteLo iba viviendo mientras lo leía, escribes genial,
estoy deseando pasarme a leer más!
Un besazo
Marion: I always appreciate a good rant.
ReplyDeletePitufina: Thank You :D
Not sure how I feel about this. I hate that he forced her hand, I hate that she forced his lips. I wonder if they really forced anything or are just addicted to drama. Well, either way...I was completely drawn in and intent on this story.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
I agree, Annie. They were both very flawed. There's definitely a looming question, presented by Max, as to if the relationship was a good idea from the outset. He saw its incompatibility and that she needed a more stable partner. But in the end, she wasn't willing to accept the notion. And, Max gave in, realizing he couldn't lose her. But also deeper feelings I think were there all along. His dialogue throughout presented someone afraid of a relationship and avoiding commitment at all costs.
ReplyDeleteBut, also, you're right about drama. It seemed to fuel the fire as it will in many an unhealthy relationship.
Heh heh. Maybe we should be shrinks. Ooooo, love this song playing. Mannish Boy. Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh....
ReplyDeleteUm, she's the disturbed one in my humble opinion. This is Fatal Attraction on crack :). Here from Annie's. Your comments often make me laugh so I dropped in.
ReplyDeleteAnnie: You have a real gift for rhythm, Annie.
ReplyDeleteShe Writes (She writes, oh baby, when she writes, she writes): I thought a little Ricky Martin was in order ;) But Jessie was a tad more disturbed I agree for not seeing the destructiveness of the relationship and threatening to kill herself, of course. Glad you stopped in :)