Lover: The Complicated Love Life of Tiffany and Jackie

Of course, they both felt that spark in each other. It was strong, unavoidable. They talked all the time, they shared in their pain. Maybe it was fleeting. Maybe in the grand scheme of things, it mattered little. But it felt something more. She wouldn’t dare sleep with him, though. They tried once, and it failed. Jackie understood. He wasn’t the sexual type anyways. He valued her mind way more than her body.

The next day, it was all he could think of. He texted the woman, and she agreed to hang out after work. He was daydreaming while Dante manned the front. It was a gloomy afternoon. Rain poured in with the fog making a sleepy atmosphere. Dante turned around in boredom. “Jackie,” he said. “Where’d you serve?”

He looked up. He hated answering army questions, but he had to for now. “In Zora and Iraq, why?”

“My cousin was ranting about the war while he was at my dorm yesterday.” Dante shrugged.

“Ion pay attention to the stuff.”

“What does your cousin do?”

“He in the New Black Liberation Party,” He answered.

NBLP. Jackie heard about it in passing. In fact, he joined a few meetings, since he was down with the anti establishment stuff. He stopped after a bit. “You know, Dante, I felt the same way when I was your age.”

“Ain't you like, 27? You not much older than me.”

Both men laughed, but Jackie continued. “My point is that being aware is helpful. You know how easily the government fucks with us? Turn us into mindless drones? I can’t speak on your experiences, but as the common man we are constantly fucked over by the feds.”

Dante crossed his arms, his face turning in thought.

“Just try,” Jackie concluded. “Try to head to a meeting. Tell me how you feel.”

Dante sighed. “Fine. If it’s boring I’m blaming you.”

Work was over. 11PM, just like always. Dante said his goodbyes, waving as he faded into the foggy evening. It was still raining. It was bitterly cold. Jackie, still in his navy hoodie and jean jacket, put his hood up and began the walk over to Tiffany's house. The rain made no signs of stopping, a soft crack of thunder could be heard from afar. Jackie kept his eyes to the wet concrete, hearing the sounds of cars drive by. Some were police sirens, a reminder of what kind of city he lived in.

He arrived. Soaked, but alive. He knocked on the doors of the apartment. Rose opened the door, peeking her head out to make absolutely sure Jackie came alone. She left the door open wide enough for him to come inside. Rose walked back, put her .38 Special on the coffee table, and sat down next to it, putting a hand through her hair.

Rose was the spitting image of her older sister in the face, but everything else could not be more different. Her ash blond hair was more unkempt and frazzled. She was heavier than her sister, wearing more baggy clothes compared to the tight outfits Tiffany would wear. She looked absentmindedly out, not bothering to turn on the lamp.

Jackie did so and sat at the other couch across from her, tapping his knee.

Before he could say anything, she glanced over to Jackie. “She’s in the bathroom.”

He nodded. “What’s with the piece? Scared I’ll rob you? I mean, I’d never–”

“No,” She interjected. “Habit. Just… It makes me feel better. Ok?”

Jackie didn’t bother to push. Rose spoke rather quietly, so he never wanted to disturb her peace. He looked at the gun. “Nice one, though. Didn’t know you train.”

Rose looked at the gun and back to him. She didn’t say anything.

Jackie cleared his throat. “I mean, if you want, I could help you. Give you some pointers?”

She shook her head. Hard.

Tiffany came in, towel in hand after drying her hair. Upon looking at the table, she sucked her teeth and sighed. "Que te dije de andar sacando la pistola, pelotuda?” Rose grabbed the weapon and walked back to her room, only to be stopped by her sister. “Decile a mi invitado que lo sentís."

Rose looked at her sister, dejected. While Jackie didn't understand the language, he fully understood the tone. She was issuing a command. She promptly turned, whispered “I’m sorry,” and rushed back to her room.

With another sigh, Tiffany sat down next to him and shook her head slowly. “I don’t know what I'm gonna do with that girl.”

Jackie hummed and relaxed on the couch, leaning back and hearing the rain tap against the window. “Well, maybe she’s just protective.”

“Of what?” She laid her head on his shoulder, continuing to rant. “We don’t get robbed. We’re safe here. Mostly. She was never like this. A few years ago she wasn’t exactly an extrovert but she loved going out, seeing nature, hanging with friends. But after one day, she just…”

“It happens. She’s what, 19? I change. You change. I’d say talk to her when she’s ready to open up to you.”

Tiffany sat in silence for a moment before speaking. “I feel like a horrible sister. I can’t help her, whatever’s going on. She just won’t talk to me. Like fuck. Just…” She gripped her palms in frustration, squeezing them until she shook them. “Talk to me. Please.”

Jackie put a hand on her head, rubbing her hair. “If I had you in my life earlier, I would be much better off.”

“Pfft. You’d be fine. You always are, I bet.”

“Barely,” Jackie said, chuckling quietly. “I’m a wreck. I walk with no purpose, no hope. I don’t have much to live for anymore. All I got is free therapy and some shitty apartment I hate looking at. Before you I had no friends. I had nobody to love. Nobody cares.”

Tiffany stood up and jabbed her index finger in his chest. “What I say about shit-talking yourself?”

“You banned it?”

“I banned it. Now listen to me.”

The man laughed, his heart warming as he leaned in for a kiss. “Anything for you.”

They sat in silence. Something they often did. They enjoyed each other’s company. They’d sit and say nothing for hours, minds racing together. New York was a loud place. Both grew up in different environments, but they both know the sounds of urban hell. Something metal. Brutal, yet full of life. Soulful. The city had a heart, and they heard it pump for years. But for once, just once, they want to hear nothing. Just the rain and wind. See the lightning flash by. They want to hold each other.

Jackie’s heart fluttered as he thought of this woman. She’s everything he wanted. A beautiful, strong, passionate woman. He leaned in to kiss her forehead. Maybe in this life that only gave him shit, maybe he finally got a break. Something to give him he wanted above all.

Contentment.