Chapter Twenty-Eight
Keith was comatose on top of the sheets, fully clothed except for his shoes. The smell of beer oozed from every pore as he snored away. Well I won’t stick around. I want to see York, maybe paint a picture or two. I took my time getting ready, hoping Keith might wake so we could explore together.
An hour later I was ready and he was still passed out. I scribbled a note, though it was more than he deserved. I slammed the door extra hard as I left, but I doubt he would have wakened if the roof caved in. I gobbled down eggs and kippers with a big cup of tea while managing to sketch a couple more postcards. Then I was off to explore York –- alone.
York was lovely. The buildings and streets were hundreds of years old. The sky was mostly blue save for the few clouds threatening to join forces. I popped into a bakery and asked about finding scenery to paint. The woman waiting on me reminded me of Louisa, which made me wonder what Louisa would say about Keith’s behavior. I bought a raspberry Danish and was directed to an ancient cathedral that was York’s pride. The long walk would have been welcome if I felt better –- then the cathedral loomed into view. I trekked closer before setting up my easel and watched people flitting about. Many photographed it using instant cameras. What a shallow way to capture something so magnifique.
As I touched up the various colors of the huge stained glass windows and the gray stone façade, the clouds cast ominous shadows. I deemed my painting dry, stashed it away and went inside. Inside was even more stunning. It felt as if the spirits of past worshipers still lingered. I wished I’d had time to explore more, but it was late and I was hungry. I was half way back when the clouds made good on their threat. The rain started slow, but quickly turned into a downpour. I was drenched and shivering by the time I reached our room.
Keith was nowhere. I looked to see if he left a note. He hadn’t. I was shivering so badly, my only desire was a warm bath. It’s a good thing I was small because the bath was puny even by my standards. I cranked the heat, sliding under the warm water as best I could. Twenty minutes later, Keith hadn’t returned. I resisted the temptation to call my parents. Hopefully they missed our conversations and would come to their senses.
I stuffed my dirty clothes in a bag and headed for the campus launderette and drew more postcards while my clothes washed but eventually hunger pangs took control. I stuffed my laundry into a tumble dry and headed back to our room.
Keith was there. “Where the hell have you been all day?” he demanded.
I glared at him. “I should ask you that!”
“Well you weren’t here when I woke up, so I hung about thinking you’d be back, but you weren’t, so I went with my mates to a pub. We hung about because it started pissing down rain.”
“I know. I got caught in it. But didn’t you have enough to drink last night? Why did you go to a pub?”
Keith shrugged. “We wanted to sample the local brew.”
“So last night’s binge wasn’t enough? You know, at the rate you’re going you’ll need a new liver by the time you’re twenty-five. You were passed out drunk this morning.”
Keith looked defiant. “I was sleeping.”
“Most people don’t sleep fully clothed, reeking of beer.”
Keith rolled his eyes. “Look, I came back to see if you wanted to go eat. It doesn’t look like it’ll start pissing down again.”
I gave a resigned sigh. “I have to get my clothes from the tumble dry. Wait here.” I had to wait a few minutes for the tumble dry, then returned to the room to find Keith gone. I was so hungry now I could barely stand. I ran a brush through my hair, sat down to put on my shoes and was just grabbing a jacket when Keith returned.
“Where were you? I was about to leave,” I demanded.
“I went out to smoke a fag when you didn’t come back right away. They don’t let us fucking smoke inside. Are you ready?” He grabbed his acoustic guitar.
Once out, Keith was his old self. We walked before coming upon an old castle.
“Let’s explore it,” I insisted, rushing towards it before Keith could answer.
We climbed to the top of a tower, gazing at what was once quite a kingdom.
“I wonder how far I can spit,” Keith said. “The poor sap below wouldn’t know what hit him.” He cracked himself up.
“Don’t do it!” I yelled.
“Lighten up, luv. I was just taking the piss.”
“Let’s head back,” I said. “It’s getting dark and I’m cold.”
“Why? The night is young. Let’s see who’s playing where we were last night.”
I was tempted, but didn’t want to worsen my cold by staying up late. I still had postcards to make. But if I refused, Keith would leave me to go out with his mates.
“Can we go to our room first? If we go to a club, I want to dress for it.”
“As you wish.” He gave a bow, making me laugh, before we headed down the winding, stone staircase. The ground still held the smell of damp earth from the earlier rain.
Back in our room, Keith embraced me and we engaged in heavy snogging.
“It’s been awhile since we had any time for us,” I said.
“Welcome to the world of touring. This is the life I’m meant to live. When Ryan finishes at uni we’ll break the US market.”
“I’ll be by your side when you do,” I kissed him again.
“To hell with going out. I think I’ll have my way with you right here and now.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “I won’t object. I’d rather stay in.”
The postcards would wait.
Within minutes we were giggling, naked on the bed.
“I hate to interrupt the moment,” I said between kisses. “But I need something.”
“What the hell?” Keith blurted out.
I reached for my bag and pulled out a condom. “We’re still using these.”
Keith looked disgruntled. “Oh, right. You know, these are a bloody mood wrecker.”
“I’ll gladly rekindle the mood.” I ran my hands up his thighs.
He broke into a wide grin. “Ooh, you are good at rekindling the mood.”
In no time, I was enjoying the onslaught. I felt like I was soaring through outer space, barely able to breathe, clinging to the moment, wishing it would last all night.
When Keith rolled off me, he pulled off the condom, letting it drop to the floor. We lay next to each other for only a few seconds before Keith reached over and caressed my breasts. “You are so bloody incredible. Let’s bang each other all night.”
“We need to sleep some time.”
“I’m in no hurry to get to Grimsby so we can sleep later tomorrow.”
“You have to face your demons, you know. You can’t keep hiding from them.”
Keith sat up, wrapping himself in the sheet. “I can sure as hell try.”
“Is it harder to face them or to keep running from them?”
Keith threw off the sheet and rose from the bed. “I don’t want a relationship with my parents!”
“But they want one with you, especially your dad.”
He stood and faced me. “I don’t think he really does. He just can’t control me now and that’s pissing him off. You’re really bringing me down here.”
“I don’t mean to. Come back to bed.” I reached over and ran my hand between his legs. Within moments Keith was back in the bed, donning another condom and we again engaged in sultry, seductive passion. I cried out in ecstasy. The lightning storm we created was a sharp contrast to the calm night. But the night was ours. We were finally getting quality time and it was bliss.
Keith flopped back onto the mattress, but our bliss ended with the ringing phone. Keith, being closest, answered. I could tell it was Ryan. All Keith said was, “That would be bloody brilliant! Let me have a quick shower and I’ll be there.”
“Wait a minute!” I protested. “Be where?”
[To be continued… Click here to view all chapters.]
