Night Train

Putrefied. Enough to burn the eyes and inflict a gag reflex. The fluid flowing from the infected tract is more chemical than urine. It Could be Heroin. It Could be Meth. It Could be a lifelong alcoholic who hasn't drunk water in over a year. One thing is for sure; toilets in the drunk tank rarely work. Hello, I'm Cupid, and my quiver has more variety than Hawkeye. Yesterday evening I pulled a mischievous arrow out of my quiver—an arrow that brought joy to my heart and laughter to my belly. Most of the time, the first date goes well. But now and then.

A golden skyline is the perfect time of day. Vapor suspended in mid-air are happy to provide depth in the Southern California sunset. Motorists, pedestrians, and loiterers have the time of their life and dispose of their troubles properly. The westerly winds lift their soul. At a red light. In a black sedan. Kevin stares into his blue eyes, runs his hands through his blond hair, and smiles at the sunset in his rearview mirror.

"You did it. Made partner, and you have a hot date tonight. Hell yeah, I going to do it big tonight."

Get a load of this guy. Does he think he has control of what happens? Cupid is always in control. Love won't see you without Cupids, okay. And you only get one chance. After that, you're on your own, and there is no guarantee of what you will receive. Suppose you didn't or don't get what you want. Don't blame Cupid. Blame the alcohol.

"Listen to me. I don't want to pay that much for wine. I don't care how hot Carrie is."

"Hello…Hello…Hello…"

"The reception here sucks. I can't believe I drove to the valley for wine. Do you know the traffic I'll hit on the way back to L.A.? How the hell did you find this place? It is so small, and the prices are super huge."

"Specialty wines?"

"Boutique?"

"You forget expensive."

"I know I just made partner Jeff, but I'm still me."

"Okay, what the hell. I tell you how it goes. Bye."

Kevin walked through a small winery built with pine and filled with wine crates and elaborate displays of wine bottles on sale. Team members sweep concrete floors, replenish empty shelf space, and greet Kevin with a smile.

"Welcome to Carhartt Vineyard. Can I be of assistance?"

"Yes, I'm looking for a nice wine."

"I would recommend the Wayward Son. It is a Pinot Noir."

"No. I want a Merlot."

"Okay. You want something nice, right?"

"I do. It's the first date, so I want to impress."

"Is price an issue?"

"Not today."

"I have some stuff in the back I know you will like."

Bottle after bottle is presented, from the South region of Napa to the North region of Tuscany. Kevin could not make a final decision. The employee has one last bottle to suggest, but it will cost Kevin much more than he thought.

"This is it, man. My boss keeps these in a lockbox labeled "Guaranteed to score." Verite Merlot LA Muse 2017. Medium to full-bodied, an Orchestra of black fruit and some sexy spice. Probably Spanish fly or something."

"How much?"

"Give me 300 hundred cash, and you can walk out the back door."

"How much is it out the front door?"

"Over 400 hundred plus tax, you gotta stand in line, the cashier will try to sign you up."

"Okay."

Kevin was a good cook, but why risk it. He knew the safe bet was to have something delivered, place the food neatly on some serving dishes, and throw a couple of pots and pans in the sink. Warm up some appetizers in the oven to create an aroma. And don't forget to take dessert out of the box. This method gives Kevin more time to set the mood and mentally prepare for the night's activities. It's good to have a plan and a timeline to stay on track.

"So, Kevin, you've answered a lot of questions for me tonight, and I feel like you have been truthful in all your answers. We're both prosecutors and know how important it is to get to the truth."

"Would you like some more wine, Carrie?"

"Sure. I like it."

"Me too. I love a full-bodied wine."

"Back to my question—"

"Would you like to dance?"

"Why not."

Standing in front of Carrie, Kevin offers his hand, and Carrie accepts. Talking and dancing the night away, Kevin and Carrie haven't a care in the world. And this is when I seize the moment. I shoot my arrow, and at that moment, silence occurs. If the arrow takes, the silence will pass. If not, the silence will last the entire marriage.

"So, Kevin, about dinner."

Electricity fills the air and illuminates the area. A clap shakes the walls and frightens Carrie deeper into Kevin's arms.

"It's okay; It's just a Southern California thunderstorm. Don't worry."

"I'm okay. Just surprised me."

"Sure. Let's have some more wine."

"Yes. I am feeling it now. Where did you get it?"

"Santa Ynez Valley."

"Wow, that's a long drive."

"Tell me about it. Traffic was brutal. But enough about traffic. Do you want to step out back and enjoy a rare California storm?"

"After You."

Carrie and Kevin stand together, staring out to the horizon made visible by consistent lighting strikes. With Carrie in six-inch heels, her pomegranate cherry-scented golden blond hair sets right under Kevin's nose. The fruits arouse Kevin, his brain functions improperly, and primal instincts take over. Kevin slowly pulls his hands out of his pockets, and Carrie steps back closer to Kevin's body. Lighting strikes and thunderclaps, and Carrie and Kevin's body press together. Kevin spreads his palms wide and grabs Carrie's hips. Kevin's left-hand remains on Carries left hip, while his right hand slowly feels its way to Carrie's ass.

"Carries' got a nice ass."

"Carrie works on that ass. Kevin should be so lucky. Where's that bottle of wine?"

Kevin returns without haste with the bottle of wine and two glasses. Carrie tosses the glasses and grabs the bottle. Carrie guzzles down some wine and passes the bottle to Kevin. Kevin takes the bottle, guzzles, and hands it back to Carrie. Kevin and Carrie go back and forth until the wine is all gone, and Carrie throws the bottle over the neighbor's fence.

"I have a question, Kevin."

"Alright. I ordered the pasta from Arties, and I got the cake and appetizers for Costco."

"I knew it. But that's not what I was going to ask you. Do you want to dance in the rain?"

"Sure, I'm game."

Carrie faces Kevin and places her hand on his shoulder for balance. She takes off her heels and turns around.

"Unzip me, please."

Kevin unzips Carrie's dress, and it falls to the ground. Carrie lifts her bra over her head, pulls her panties past her hips, and they drop to her feet. Carrie walks towards the rain. Standing with her arms wide and back towards Kevin, Carrie looks up to the sky. Kevin undresses quickly and runs out to Carrie.

Under dark clouds, Carrie and Kevin dance the Salsa, Tango, and "The Carlton." Kevin spins Carrie around, and she falls back into his arms. They sway and kiss. Laugh and enjoy the time of their life, and relish in a moment where time does not exist.

"Carrie, have you ever skinny-dipped in the rain?"

"No, where is the water?"

"Right over that fence if you can climb it."

Carrie looks up, kisses Kevin, stomps his foot, and runs for the six-foot-tall cinder block wall. Kevin chases after Carrie slowly and with a limp. Carrie leaps and reaches the top of the wall and swings right over it. Kevin can barely climb over the top of the wall and falls once he's on the other side.

'Took you long enough."

Kevin dives into the pool and swims over to Carrie. The vibe is icy hot. The warmth of the pool ignites the flames of arousal, and the coolness of the rain numbs all ambitions.

"Oh. Look. A wine refrigerator."

Kevin swims after Carrie, fixated on her humps. They floated above the water like two white snow hills. Below water was Moby. Ready to rise to the surface and release his blowhole. Rain continues to fall hard, and lighting creates a silhouette that tops any challenge. Carrie guzzles wine from a twist-off bottle she can't read, then passes it to Kevin.

"Night Train."

"It's good. Go ahead, take a guzzle."

Kevin knows better. He had some with his frat brothers, but Carrie is hot and naked right now. Kevin guzzles down some Night Train. Carrie has nothing but the pool lights to cover her. On a pageant stage, Carrie walks across. Her suit is for a birthday, and the sole judge approves. Six feet tall and blond, she's an alphabet killer. They grow on trees in Southern California.

Kevin's legs dangle in the water. Carrie massages Kevin's feet. But she can't resist the satisfaction in her face. All she has to do is get it ready. Carrie slowly readies her satisfaction, and Kevin lies back on the pool deck and closes his eyes.

Bright light steadily shines down on Kevin and Carrie. The rain has stopped, and the satisfaction ended abruptly. Carrie stands in the pool with her head in Kevin's lap. Kevin, legs dangling in the pool, laid back, a bottle of Night Train still in his hand.

"Hey. Wake up. It's the police."

Pleasant enough to bring joy to their hearts. Lavender to help with sleep, drinking Chamomile tea to help keep sleep, bleach because everything needs to be sanitized, and dirty diapers because Kevin forgot to take out the trash again. One thing is for sure, I'm Cupid, and I always hit my mark.