The fierce February wind grabbed his beloved journal and blew it violently to the pavement. Jack lunged in horror thrusting desperate hands to save it from harm. He cursed himself for his carelessness, how stupid was he for reading Jenny’s words while walking in this wicked wind? After removing the offending slush Jack caressed the worn leather cover and looked for a safe place to inspect the pages for damage.
A coffeehouse seemed like the perfect place to hide from the winds tormenting this bleak Paris street. He slammed inside out of the wind, stamping the slush from his shoes.
Jack saw a young woman behind the counter peering intently at him. She had deep purple eyes, long black hair, and an unusually pointed chin. “I’ll take, ah…” Jack felt himself falling into her gaze somehow and never completed his order.
She stood holding a black cup and saucer in her hands, but as he spoke turned to add one more ingredient. “Just a moment, your coffee is almost ready.”
Jack pulled his attention back to his journal to make sure the slush had not invaded the inside, smudging his words or drawings. He didn’t notice the woman stirring his coffee with a copper spoon or the blue vapors that rose ever so gently from the hot liquid.
“Here’s my own special blend, sir, on the house.”
“Gee, thanks.” Jack’s spirits lifted. He carefully chose a table for himself and his sweetheart. He was madly in love with Jenny, and she was totally devoted to him.
In 1950, Jack first imagined Jenny and since then he had lived out their relationship in the pages of his journals. He had brought her to Paris to celebrate their tenth anniversary. This morning, he lovingly chose Jenny’s words to him; I love you and only you. No one will ever come between us. He ran his fingers across the words to feel her presence. She became more real to Jack with each passing year. After reassuring himself of Jenny’s undying devotion, Jack placed the journal inside his breast pocket and pushed it nearer his heart.
Jack breathed the intoxicating aroma of his free coffee as he brought the cup close to his lips. The strangely delicious taste permeated and overwhelmed his senses; as soon as he swallowed he slumped into total darkness.
Liniket had been watching Jack from behind the counter. “Girls, come on out and help me, he’s ready.” Her two sisters emerged from behind a thick woven curtain that veiled the doorway to a back room.
“Oh Lini, he’s divine!” Liniket’s sister whispered.
Without much notice from the other patrons, the three sisters carried Jack to the back room and placed him on a massage table.
“Have a great time, dear.” The sisters giggled and left Liniket alone with Jack.
Liniket lovingly removed Jack’s clothing and covered him with herb-infused oil. She sang softly as she rubbed the oil over every inch of his body. She yearned to have him inside of her to experience his throbbing life force.
She prepared her surgical tray of syringes for the extractions. She cut off Jack’s hair and gently stuffed it inside one of her handmade embroidered pillows. She removed his finger and toenails to decorate later for jewelry. She shivered as each needle slowly penetrated Jack’s flesh. She moaned in ecstasy as she carefully drew his fluids.
She walked back and forth to the canning jars lining the shelves all along the walls. Each jar had a label written in Liniket’s unusual handwriting; Morris 1945 – brain fluid, Gerald 1922 - blood, Henry 1865 – semen, Rupert 1825 – spinal fluid, George, 1771 – urine. There were hundreds of jars filled with the essence of her past loves. She prepared several jars for Jack. She couldn’t wait to experience him.
Each morning for the last two centuries Liniket had carefully chosen a small amount of one of her loves to add to her food. She was a sensitive woman who could feel the ecstasy of their passion hidden deep within their DNA. She celebrated this evolved intimacy, becoming immersed in their energy and by extension becoming one with the bodies of the human species.
Tonight, Liniket planned to experience a new depth of intimacy. She could feel the desperately hungry passion locked deep inside of Jack and was determined to release it to become one with him like never before.
Liniket’s orgasmic energy was at a climax as she raised a cleaver above Jack’s chest to crack him open. She could not wait to reveal his heart, still beating, so soft and full of blood.
An iridescent hand suddenly grabbed her wrist to stop the assault. Liniket scowled at the trail of light emanating from the very center of Jack’s journal where it lay on a table next to him.
Liniket pulled with all her might to break free from the force holding her prisoner.
“You will not take Jack from me!” A strong female voice pronounced from the journal.
“No! Jack is mine now! Liniket cried as she intensified her struggle.
Jack began to wake and overheard the argument. In his half-dream state he smiled at the thought of two women fighting over him.
“Girls, there’s enough of ‘ol Jack to go around…” He slurred before blacking out again.
“You know, he’s right,” said Liniket as she calmed down. She stood lost in thought and after a moment the glowing hand released her. The two seemed to come to some wordless understanding.
Liniket picked up the cleaver once again and cracked open Jack’s chest to reveal her treasure. The iridescent hand of Jenny, whom Jack had both created and imprisoned, grabbed Jack by the neck, swiftly taking his soul back with her into his beloved journal.
Later that evening, Liniket thought, who says two women can’t share the same man, as she celebrated with a deliciously intimate dinner of braised heart pasta with spinal fluid Marsala followed by a lovely semen sorbet.
_____________
©2010 Anne Tyler Lord
Anne Tyler Lord writes various genres of fiction and is currently posting serial flash fiction on her website. She also writes poetry, short stories, and is working on a romantic suspense novel. And, she has a regular feature on her blog called, The Writer’s Life. Anne currently lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and boy/girl twins. You can read more at Don’t Fence Me In (http://annetylerlord.com/) and follow Anne on Twitter @AnneTylerLord
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Tags: Anne Tyler Lord
February 12th, 2010 at 8:25 am
Now that is certainly some threesome!!
I reckon his soul was quite happy about how things turned out
February 12th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Everybody’s happy, no? Wicked tale, Anne! What a feast.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Another reason not to journal or go to Paris! But since when do women fight over one man?
February 12th, 2010 at 10:41 am
What a very mature solution to this love problem!
Really great horror happening here, Anne!
February 12th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Anne, you need to do horror more often - that was fantastic! Poor Jack, I feel so sorry for him. Great work!
February 12th, 2010 at 11:55 am
My word! I wonder how many Michelin stars that little establishment has? Wonderfully gruesome story Anne!
February 12th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Twisted! I love it! There’s nothing like good old-fashioned ’squick’ for Valentines day. Ah, love is in the air…and the pasta sauce!
February 12th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Horror? I’d be prepared to suffer the loss of certain vital fluids to have 2 chicks fighting over me in such a way. I bet he didn’t have no writer’s block after such an event!
Nurse, I’m ready for my extraction now.
Marc Nash
February 12th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Gross! I’ll be watching my journal more carefully in future… Not sure I’m brave enough to keep it beside my bed anymore. Goodness knows what monsters I’ve written in there are waiting to come out.
One minor point: the use of “slush” twice in the first two paragraphs jarred slightly.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
It is so great to see you all stop by! Thanks for the comments everyone. I appreciate the support!
Simon and Marc - You guys crack me up.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Ooo la la, Anne! J’aime votre écriture, and it takes place in Paris, too! So many interesting tales wrapped into this story. All of them intrigued me and made me want to know more. Lucky man to live every man’s fantasy right into eternity. But, wait … what was the sorbet again? ~ Olivia
February 12th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
This was fantastic Anne!!! Totally creepy and descriptive. Wow.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
What a conclusion! Almost enough to put me off my dinner (thank goodness I’m starving!). An enjoyably twisted read and definitely an alternative valentines story!
February 12th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Great Tale Anne. I knew you had it in you!
Karen :0)
February 12th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Why am I smiling? That was soooo…delicious! Perfect combination of cozy sweet victim and wicked spirit women…lol. Very cool. You do Valentine horror like a pro!
February 12th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Thank you kind friends for your comments. I’m glad you are enjoying my twisted Valentine’s story.
I probably should put a warning: “Do not read while eating” Heehee
February 12th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Anne - This is terrific - i agree, horror definitely suits you! Very imaginative
February 12th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Wow, I love the various twists and turns in this story. Jenny seems to have gotten the better of the deal.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Oh Anne, the oil massage aroused me, but the cold shower when the knife came out gave me the shivers. LOL!
Seriously, this is fantastic! I couldn’t have stopped reading if the house was on fire.
Bravo!
February 13th, 2010 at 9:42 am
I wonder if the outcome would be the same had he professed his preference for Jenny, instead of saying there was enough Jack to go around… But, it sounds like everyone is happy now!
Ew ew ew on the last few sentences.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
WOW! Lots of twists and turns with this one. Wonderfully detailed world here although I am glad I don’t live in it! You gave me goosebumps.
February 14th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
That is one twisted tale, Anne. The muse as black widow was just plain evil, and “semen sorbet”? Appalling alliteration Anne, appalling!