Reading: "I, of the necromantic gloam" from COVEAL OF THE HEDONIC (A.Glass 2025)

 

Darius nods, without saying anything. He kisses her gently her on her right cheek.
“You better get ready, your ride will be here soon”
“No time for a quick fuck?” Henley asks, her pelvis still pushed up against Darius's.
“Sorry. But, you’ll miss the flight.”
Nodding with a smile, she quickly walks to the lounge area, where her two bags are packed. She looks at Darius in a resigned way. “Of course, I probably would miss the flight. Anyway…” She reaches into her left pocket, taking out a set of keys. “...here are the keys…” Spreading them out with her fingers. “...This is…” Holding up a small plastic dark green tag. “...the security tag to access the car park. Key to access the front door of the apartment, and the smaller key for the mailbox...” She hands the keys to Darius. “..Just pile all the mail up over there…” She points to a corner of the kitchen bench near where a Echeveria elegans plant sits within its ochre colored vase. Darius stares at the plant and the vase, placing the keys near, he as another sip of the Vodka. Checking her phone again, she lifts her tote bag and slings it over her right shoulder, placing her phone into the bag. “...If you get locked out, the building manager number is…” She hears here phone chime, as the cab has now pulled up outside her apartment door. “...On the back of the security tag…” With each hand, she lifts both of her bags. “...Write it into your phone or something.”
Darius, lifting up the keys, walks towards the front door, opening it, as the headlights of the car parked outside illuminate the entrance of the apartment. Standing at the entrance, he caresses her face gently with his left hand, he then kisses Henley on the lips.
“Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Just focus on the trip and what you’ll be doing in New York.”
“Will do, thanks again Adorjan.” In a quickened manner she walks towards the waiting car, with the driver standing at the open boot. Assisting Henley, as she places her bags into the compartment, he closes the door. Quickly, she enters the passenger side, also closing the door. As the driver prepares to drive off.
The car moves out of front of Henley’s apartment, she waves at Darius, waving back while watching the car move down the small adjacent alley way, turning left as it drives onward towards Mt Alexander Road, then onto Melbourne airport.
Stepping back into the apartment, he closes the door. Smiling, as he notices the two small speakers positioned at upper far corner lounge room walls. Walking towards the kitchen, leaning over to where a small screen is attached to the right side supporting wall. Tapping the music icon on the touchscreen with his right index finger, he checks through Henley’s music list.
“Her taste in music, is not unlike mine. Some Jazz beats.”
The music is heard through the speakers, as he turns and opens the fridge again. Lifting out the chilled bottle of Vodka, placing it next to the wine bottle.
“I’ll throw this out...” he says, referring to the wine. “...But, I’ll keep this…” Pointing with his left index finger at the Vodka. Pouring the clear spirits into the glass, he checks his phone. Seeing that it is Eight PM in the evening, sipping from the glass, he turns, looking at the staircase which leads to the study area and above, on the third level, Henley's bedroom and ensuite balcony. Lifting the glass of Vodka, Darius ascends the spiral staircase with sounds of Jazz beats in the background, he passes the study area with an extra toilet and bathroom, continuing upward, looking above at a small speaker that over looks the final steps to where Henley's bedroom is, the studio lights dimmed with the curtain pulled back, smiling he looks over the large window which faces North. Darius vaguely makes out the Trin Warren Tam-boore wetland in the near distance.
“So powerful,” he says to himself, whilst sipping from the glass. Looking up at the skyline, eyeing the North star Polaris. He then turns and looks at Henley's neatly made up bed. Walking towards the bed, he sits down, placing the glass of Vodka onto the carpeted floor, which lines where the queen size bed sits among the polished floorboards. Pulling back the lilac satin sheet, he lifts the pillow nearest to small bedside cabinet, gently lifting the pillow. He sees a single Tarot card, with his left hand he lifts the card. Smiling, as this was the card that was given to Henley, when Darius gave her a reading a year ago, sitting together at Manningham Reserve, while the sun was setting on a warm summer evening.
___

Reading: "I, of the Necromantic Gloam" from COVEAL OF THE HEDONIC (A.Glass 2025).