Free Deaths of Jocasta by J. M. Redmann

up?”
    He looked chagrined. Then I burst out laughing. Andy, a computer nerd, had dressed as a computer nerd. He had on black horn-rim glasses, held together with fishing wire and tape. And a horribly tasteless yellow, brown, and green checked jacket complete with overly full pen protector in his pocket. Floppy discs poked out of his back pocket.
    “Have you seen Torbin? I have an admiring horde panting to meet him.”
    “He’s around somewhere,” Andy replied, looking around the room.
    Suddenly, the tall curvy blonde approached me.
    “Now,” she demanded. “I must have you now,” she said. “Here, on the floor.”
    The blonde, moving quicker than anyone with curves like that had a right to, threw her arms around me and spun me off balance until I was bent precariously backward, my feet doing little to hold my weight.
    “What the…?” I started.
    She cut me off with a boisterous kiss. Her hand made a quite blatant and visible assault on my breasts. But now I knew who I was dealing with. Only one person would dare such an outrage.
    “Torbin, let go of me,” I yelled, elbowing him in his falsies.
    “Well, I never,” he huffed. Then took me at my word and let go, unceremoniously dumping me on the floor.
    “Mussed my lipstick, I declare,” he said, hovering over me.
    “You’ll pay for this,” I hissed. Andy was doubled over with laughter. I didn’t dare look at anyone else. “Itching powder in your jock strap, pepper in your rouge. I will get you someday, Torbin Robedeaux. Be assured of it,” I cursed from my prone position. I had been set up. If I were playing any role but my own, I might even find it funny. But in my present position, I could not.
    “Oh, girls, you’ve left some trash on the floor,” Torbin called as he made his grand exit.
    “Do you intend to lie there all evening?” Joanne asked, standing very close to my head.
    I didn’t really mean to, but she was standing over me, with that damned slit halfway up her thigh. From my floor perspective I could see way beyond thigh level. So I looked. And she caught me looking.
    “Black lace. Is that the real you?” I commented, trying to discommode her. “Pull me up,” I said, extending my hand.
    “Someone give me a hand with this body,” Joanne said, not at all discommoded.
    Cordelia came around to my other side and reached out her hand. I had no choice but to take it. Now I was the discomfited one.
    She and Joanne, each holding a hand, pulled me up. I let go of her hand too quickly, disconcerted by her touch. The three of us stood together, confused and awkward for a moment. At least I was; I don’t know what they were feeling.
    “Well, I hope we’re all having a good time here tonight. I know I am,” I said sarcastically, trying not to look back at Cordelia. “Now, I really am thirsty. And I really have to get a drink of water.” With that I stalked off, more in search of quietude than water. Cordelia had badly thrown me off kilter. How could she just reappear with a cute little blonde in tow and pretend that nothing had happened between us? What did she expect me to do? Smile blandly and congratulate her?
    I walked quickly past the partying clumps until I was out in a dim corner of the back porch.
    What does she think…? Then I knew what she thought, or had a pretty good guess. Micky Tomcat, as Danny had said. What could I do? Tell her, “I know Danny’s told you a lot of things about me, and yes, they’re all true, but I’ve changed, really, I have.” Right. Why would Cordelia have an affair with a Cajun bastard who had, and there was no other word for it, a slutty reputation? Particularly when cute little good girl blondes are available?
    I left the porch, walking out onto the starlit lawn. I thought about being supremely childish and climbing the magnolia tree to spend the rest of the evening there. But a couple was entwined at the bottom of it and they didn’t sound like they would appreciate being disturbed.
    Cordelia