Sensory Experiences

            “Why are you drawing Annabell?” Ed asked, walking into the lounge this morning. I looked down at my sketch pad. It was supposed to be a drawing of Evelyn.

            “It’s Evelyn.”

            “Oh God. You’re not in love with the whore are you? Fuck: that’d be a pricey fate.”

            “No. I’m not in love with her.” I unwittingly emphasised the last word just slightly. “I was just waiting for you to get the hell up.”

            “Again.” He said, laughing.

 

*

 

            After lunch we sat down in the lounge. Ed brought up itunes on the computer.

            “Does this bring back memories?” He asked, starting the music.

            The gentle sound of waves started caressing my mind. Otis Reading lent his smooth old voice to the mix.

 

I’m just sittin’ on the dock of bay,

Watching the tide roll away…

Sittin’ on the dock of a bay,

Wasting ti-i-i-me.

 

            “What memories?” I asked.

            “It’s the song we came to last night.”

            I was revolted. Ed was proud of this.

            “Ed. It’s bad enough you were there. You don’t have to be so damn sickly proud of it.”

            “What’s the matter? Are you embarrassed I watched you like that?”

            “Fucking hell Ed, just shut up about it.”

            “Join the modern world, Tom. It’s all about sensory experience.”

            “Right. Well, my senses are happiest away from sharing nakedness with you.”

            “Alright, alright. We’ve got more important discussions to have right now.”

            “Like?”

            “This song. It’s our next adventure.”

            “Christ. I hadn’t even thought about another one. Wasn’t the last one enough? Haven’t we proven whatever it was we set out to prove yet?”

            “Not even close, mate.”

            “Well I think we have. I’m not sure about this anymore. Last night was… weird.”

            “Just think of it like porn. Good porn, but nothing more.”

            “I don’t watch porn.”

            “Then you’re even more of a fucking shitbrick than I took you for.”

            “Why don’t you leave it? I’m not about to jump up and go on some other crazy chase of madness. I need to work some stuff out, and get my life back in order.”

            Ed reluctantly dropped it. I’m not sure how I feel about it all. The last week or two’s been fun, but… I’m not sure. I have to think.

 

*

 

            I’m about to go to sleep now. I had one further thought: how did Ed pay for the girls? He’s only a teacher, with no money. I must remember to ask him… No matter how unsure I am about the whole thing, I have to pay him back. It’s not like I refused the… services.