Gemsicuted

Written by Julian Robov


Thirty Two


The doorbell rang at the OPO condo, one among the several condominiums Sanders owned for business and pleasure. Melvine got the scare of his life. He gazed at the closed circuit TV screen, and to his dismay it was a woman. Goldie!
He couldn’t believe his eyes. He rushed to the door, and opened it with a hearty smile. “Goldie, what a surprise? How did you manage to find my address? Please come in.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Your name card, of course. I heard a lot of rumors.”
“What rumors?” Sanders asked, puzzled.
“About your wife?” she reminded.
“Please don’t talk about her,” he added. “Whenever I think about the bitch, I get itchy. She deserved what she got.”
“It is inhumane to hit your wife like that, Melvine, especially, in front of your daughter. What will she think about you from now onwards? I was shocked.” Goldie pulled up a chair and sat opposite gazing at him intently.
“If you were there when that happened, you wouldn’t talk to me like this. I’ll never forget what she said at that time, when she was supposed to work out a practical solution.” Sanders tried to justify his statement. But she looked unconvinced.
“Whatever the situation may be, it was wrong,” she said. “That’s why I came to express my anger and condolences.”
“What for, Goldie?” Sanders asked with a loud laughter.
“We belong to the same gender, Melvine,” she continued. “I’m stuck. I just can’t find the right words. Would you do something like that to me?”
“Of course not,” Sanders reasoned. “Chin is just the opposite. I still can’t believe my eyes why on earth I married her in the first place. And a daughter exactly like her, dumb as dumb. Sorry to say that, but that’s the truth. A biological mistake. Instead of arguing about my family and crap like that, let’s change the topic. What really brings you here, Goldie? I’m just curious. Pardon me, if I’m too direct.”
“To see you first,” she answered, “and to know the truth about your wife’s fate. My husband is going to India for a few weeks. Business, I guess. So if you have free time, perhaps, you might be interested to come and visit me. The door is open.” Sanders couldn’t resist the offer.
“Oh, that’s a privilege,” he said. “Now thank you for that gesture. I should never disappoint you in that respect. But I’m going through a severe crisis at the moment.”
“What do you mean?” Goldie asked, confused.
“Business,” he said quickly. She didn’t understand what he meant.
“That bad? I wish I could have helped somehow,” she quipped.
“Forget it, Goldie,” Sanders said. “You shouldn’t get involved in this murky situation. You might get killed. Home is better for you. You are good at nonviolent activities.” She kept gazing at him, and then woke up to give him a meaningful smile.
“I think so,” she replied. “I have to leave now. My driver will be at the car park any moment. Anyway, thank you very much for your time, and please don’t beat your wife. Try not to disappoint me. You know me too well, don’t you?”
“Wait a minute. Don’t leave that quickly. I can drop you at your home,” he said hurriedly.
“You can’t do that. You have already more than enough problems. I think it is better to keep it low profile. That way we both will be safe,” said Goldie, as she rose to leave.
“You just came to my room like a flash, and you are leaving me just like that?” Sanders said disappointedly.
“You will be seeing me again anyway,” she added. “Once you are free from all worries, we will have all the time in the world to talk about a lot of things.”
“When is that going to happen? Next life?” he pleaded.
“You must make your peace with Chin, Melvine. You may not like her now, but remember, you lived with her for more than fifteen years. Is that right?” Goldie began to talk like his mother.
“So what?” Sanders said. “Everybody does that just a mechanical life. No warmth, love, understanding; instead, just money ruled for fifteen years. I paid bills for that facility, and am still paying. I don’t know what for. You are different. You understand me. I’ve no problem with that. Give me a chance, Goldie. That’s what I mean.”
“I have to go, Melvine. See you soon and take care.” She had already gone.
“What the fuck was that all about?” he uttered spontaneously.