Free The Best of Electric Velocipede by John Klima Page B

today. The coat was there for protection, to mask any public indiscretion, but he hadn’t needed it today. He’d managed to keep his erection at bay—today. The slight smile faded as he thought about getting home, about the meet and greet, the dutiful kiss on the rapidly aging cheek, closing his eyes so as not to see the lines at the corners of her eyes, running down beside her nose, and at the edges of her mouth. Holding his breath so he couldn’t taste the age and death that flowed within her lungs and through her mouth. Decrepitude. The falling apart. No, he didn’t want to think about that. Far better to think about the current object of his affection.
    As images of the park, of her sweet little body, grew to overtake the picture of assigned wife number one’s face, he felt a stirring at his crotch. But he’d been so good today. Soon, William, soon. He would have to find out her name before long. What would it be? Emily? Sophia? Jasmine, perhaps. Yes, Jasmine, like the scent upon the breeze. Jasmine would be a good name. Pretty, pretty. Clean and sweet. Unblemished as a spring flower blooming in the twilight.
    That night, William went through the rituals with assigned wife number one, the polite yet stilted conversations. Sometimes he wondered whether she too merely went through the rituals with her assigned husband number one, but it didn’t really matter to him. Not really.
    Tomorrow was another day, another rest day, and that was what mattered. Jasmine would be there, playing in Greenspace. William hoped the weather would be good enough. If the storms were down again, it would be stay at home, waiting for the stuff to pass, watching two-year-old movies and passing mindless conversation with assigned wife number one. Then there’d be another few days waiting, going to work every day, hoping for the next rest day and weather that was good enough to go back to Greenspace to read his book. He couldn’t understand why they had to program storms. Perhaps they really wanted to give the feeling of home. It was funny, in so many ways.
    The next morning, he could barely wait to get out of bed. Late in the evening, while he’d been lying awake, he’d turned over the introduction, their first meeting, in his head. Finally, sleep had slipped up to cover him. All through the night, he dreamed. He’d woken with a throbbing erection and assigned wife number one had taken it as a sign. He had pushed away her ministrations, grumbling about a full bladder and how she’d be better off getting some sleep. Stay in bed. This is a rest day and you don’t have to do anything. There was the conversation over breakfast, and assigned wife number one took it as another opportunity. She was becoming tiresome, demanding.
    “What are you doing today, William?”
    “Well, I thought I might go to the park and read.”
    “But you did that yesterday.”
    He shot her a glance. “And I thought I might do it again today.” He held her gaze, waiting.
    “And I thought we might spend some time together, to, well, you know . . .”
    “Why?” he said.
    “Because that’s what married couples do. We’ve been together long enough to know each other, William, to feel comfortable together. I’m beginning to think you don’t care. I really don’t want this assignment to fail. I really don’t, you know.”
    “Why?” he said, looking at her pointedly. “Why do you care?”
    She paused before answering. “Because we’re doing so well. After your promotion and . . . well . . .”
    If only she knew.
    When he didn’t respond, she continued. “I’m beginning to think you’re not interested,” she said and sighed. “Do you want another assignment? Do you want someone else?” There was hurt in her eyes.
    “That’s not going to happen,” he said, calmly.
    “Yes, but it will happen if we’re not careful. We have to make this work.”
    William narrowed his eyes before responding. “Fine, we will. Just give me some time. This is a