“You don’t think it’s too
tight?”
“No such thing,” Jesse said.
“Men are all alike,” Cissy said.
“They judge cloth how much of a woman they show.”
“You’re probably right,” Jesse
said.
“When a man is with a woman,” Cissy said,
“c are just in the way.”
Jesse said, “Un huh,” emphasizing the
second sy trying to sound both interested and noncommittal. No he thought, while being dry-humped on the dance fl
“It’s why when I’m with a
man,” Cissy said, h now actually brushing Jesse’s as she spoke, “I wear as little as possible.”
The band segued into “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.‘’
“Hasty’s a lucky man,” Jesse
said. He was looking past Cissy’s shoulder for Abby.
“Oh, Hasty,” she said. “I
can’t wait around all year for
Jesse smiled without speaking. He couldn’t think of anything to say to that. He was thinking of Suitcase.
“Can you tell,” she whispered against his mouth, “that
I’m not wearing anything under this dress?“
“I wasn’t sure,” Jesse said.
Cissy had a good body under her ridiculous dress. It was becoming difficult for Jesse tor emain detached.
“Is it something you might want to see?”
she whispered.
Christ! Jesse thought. Where’s Suit when you need him.
“Is it?”. Her mouth was against his.
“Not right here,” Jesse said.
“But somewhere you would, wouldn’t you. I can tell.”
Jesse was still struggling for gallantry.
“Anyone would,” he said.
Cissy clamped her mouth against his and began to kiss him aggressively. Jesse felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Hasty, his bow tie blinking steadily.
“Mind if I cut in?” Hasty said.
Cissy continued to kiss him.
Jesse pulled away and said, “No, not at all,” and turned Cissy, her eyes still half closed, into Hasty’s arms.
The band began to play an old Beatles tune. He found Abby near the bar, with a martini. The bar had cleared somewhat as people danced.
“Last Tango in Paris?” Abby said.
“Help,” Jesse said.
He ordered a fresh scotch from the bar.
“How’s she stack up as a
kisser?” Abby said.
“There’s better,” Jesse said.
“Good to know.”
Abby’s eyes were bright and Jesse realized that she might be a little drunk too. He knew their relationship wasn’t helping her drinking. He picked up his scotch.
Careful.
He sipped a small sip and put the drink back down on the bar.
Morris Comden, one of the other selectmen, came across the room and asked Jesse if he could have the next dance with Abby. It was the boldest thing Comden had done since Jesse had been in Paradise. At selectmen’s meetings, he sat quite still and watched Hasty so he’d know how to vote.
“Ask her,” Jesse said.
