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April 2008
For the Love of Love
by John Cannizzo
Valentine’s Day, talking about types. “Are you physical? Intellectual? Or are emotions your center of gravity?”
“But opposites attract,” Dominique says.
“No. Compliments like night and day, cold and warm form a whole, if they are essentially compatible. Let me tell you about Ray and Sandy”
I give Ray the usual paper with the address. He is leaving Riker's.
“You guys just playing?”
“Call me.”
Next day he is there and I get him started cleaning out the basement. Our super is leaving (or is being fired). When I get home Friday, Ray is outside.
“Congratulate me”
“Congratulations.”
“The managing agent hired me.”
I feel foreboding of dread. “It’s not a good idea.”
“Trust me.”
The job includes an apartment and $150 per week – Ray’s first apartment – an unimagined achievement. I see him every morning and night. He is helping us paint our apartment. He is also an intern. In his back pocket most times is a ¼ pint of rum.
Sandy is out of jail too – another intern.
“John I need to talk. Can you meet me at the ‘Hort’?” Sandy’s overweight voice wheezes into the phone.
“I’m busy. What is it?”
“I need to meet you.”
At the office she is already there. She would kiss my hand if I let her.
“Everything is going to work out at last. Ray asked me to move in”
“It’s not a good idea.”
She looks at me with an affected transport of indignation. “It’s Ray’s apartment! You want me to die?”
The apartment is tight; they start to fighting.
“What now stuffed fish, brick soul, date pit?! Sure of yourself, cheap wino with a lottery ticket. Swear to God one of these days – tear your eyes out, kicked dog! You think I’ll die for love of you!?”
Next day at Riverside Park Pam calls. Police are there arresting Ray. He cut Sandy’s finger off when he slammed the door on it. He resisted; they beat him up. He got seven years but they let him off with three.
“Dying for love is a ridiculous idea, Dominique. Lovers say they are dying but, that they will actually give up the ghost, don’t believe it.”
We step onto dank cold steps of the subway. At the bottom a boy on his knees is proposing to a girl.
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