Reading: "Dead Cities of the Stars" from RITUALS OF THE ANTITHETICAL (A.Glass 2023)

  

“Chloe, call me Chloe. You’re so well mannered Alfie…” She pours the can of soda into a glass, while lifting a bowl of potato chips with her free hand, walking towards where Dalens is sitting. “...And your speaking voice, you should think about, when you’re older, a job on radio.”
Dalens nods in a modest way, smiling as Chloe bends down and places the soda and chips in front of him. He looks at the neckline of her blouse, eyeing the cleavage of her breasts which sit within its white lace bra. He notes the floral scent of her perfume again, yet detects another aroma that is unique and indistinguishable in his presence. She lifts up the remote TV controls and turns on the television, sitting next to Dalens, as an ad is displayed of women performing aerobics.
Dalens has a sip of his drink, glancing at the woman sitting next to him, her legs folded in a slanted manner. Looking over her tanned calves, particularly the top of her thighs, he reaches forward with his left hand, lifting up some chips. Placing them in his mouth, crunching down on them he turns and again, seeing how Chloe is transfixed on the screen at the women in leotards dancing. Her expression blank, he studies her eyes, she then turns and smiles.
“I’ll put on the air conditioner.”
Standing, she walks over to the lounge window where the air conditioner unit is, taping the on button, placing her hand over the vents. Awaiting for the cool air to exude, she stares out at the street below. As Dalens continues to watch her, she maintains that fixation, staring ahead, without blinking.
“Hayden has this new comic that came out this month…” She turns and faces Dalens. “...What’s it called?...Um...Metal Man or something.”
“Iron Man, issue One Hundred and Seventy Three, Judas was a Woman,” Dalens replies.
“Yeah that’s it…” She walks towards Dalens, as she unclips her hair allowing it to fall to her shoulders. “...You like that comic?”
“Yeah I sorta do, the story is actually pretty good, mature like...Kinda not into kids stories, I like it when it is more realistic. Like, in that comic, the hero is drunk, down and out and he…” Dalens, pauses thinking back to the story arc. “...Blames it on a woman.”
“Don’t they always...” Chloe replies in a sardonic way, as she walks back to the kitchen. “...And yes, you are very mature. Which is good...”
Dalens nods in a coy manner.

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Reading:  "Dead Cities of the Stars" from  RITUALS OF THE ANTITHETICAL (A.Glass 2023)