ATONEMENT by S. W. Frank Page B

Pomeriggio is the word for afternoon , woman .”
    Selange was horrified, “Why didn’t you correct me , you let me make an ass out of myself on purpose, didn’t you ?”
    “Stop pouting, he’ll get over it.”
    She punched him and he grinned, “Your temper’s showing.”
    “Oh, I think you’ve seen what happens when I really want to hurt someone.”
    His grin widened, “That I have.”
    She stopped as he held open the car door, turned to face him and asked, “Can we go somewhere private and talk?”
    “ You’re ready to talk to me, now?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    Later, they were back at Nico’s hide-away. She sat cross-legged in front of the fireplace and Nico reclin ed on his side, propped up on an elbow , listening .
    “I’m not tell ing Alfonzo about us .”
    He kept quiet. She wasn’t finished, yet.
    “Nico, I love him. I don’t want to crush him. If I tell him about us then he’ll question the baby and might get angry not knowing if it’ s his or not.”
    Nico s coffed, “Of course, he’ll get angry. ”
    “Nico, if this child is yours, I promise to tell you.”
    “That’s admirable.” He commented sarcastically.
    “And we’ll arrange some way for you to visit, we’ll figure it out.”
    “What’s to figure out ? If I’m the father, I get to see my kid.”
    Her hazel eyes came to rest on his face, “Nico, I don’t want anything to happen to you . I don’t think Alfonzo will stick around if he knows this isn’t his child and he might do something to you . Are you really willing to destroy him or get killed ?”
    He thought about it. He wasn’t concerned about getting killed for one thing and secondly, he wasn’t deliberately trying to hurt Alfonzo. He only wanted to see his child, from time to time. “ I can handle your husband don’t concern yourself with that . ”
    “You wouldn’t kill him . You love him, like a brother we both know it . I just want a chance to save my marriage.”
    He found her amazing. “And I want a promise.”
    “Okay.”
    “ My kid, you tell me that’s all the promise I want from you.”
    “Okay, promise.”
    “And if it doesn’t work out with Alfonzo then what?”
    “I go on.”
    “And us, now?”
    “ Y ou said it yourself you were a horrible husband, so it only leaves one other option.”
    “Which is?”
    “ I fell in love with you and I don’t know when it happened but it did and it’s hurting me because I love my husband just as much and…” her long lashes covered her eyes as she looked down sadly, “this is me with my eyes open.” She found the courage to look directly into his dark pupils. “ Have you ever tried to hold onto the wind, Nico?”
    He was amused, “You read too much poetry beautiful.”
    “Well, you’re similar to the wind. I need you but I can’t keep you, you’re not meant to be kept, does that make any sense?”
    His amusement faded, “Your metaphor is weak. I’m not the wind, I’m flesh and blood not some translucent form of matter .”
    “You’re both made up of matter. In Hinduism all creations are made up of matter, including the human body.” She smiled, “I know, too deep.”
    “You’re deep, it’s what I love about you.”
    The words were said and her hands were on his broad shoulders, feeling the strength of him, wanting him. “I don’t want to let you go. I’m being selfish, but I want the now with you. I want you in my life. Be my lover Nico, let’s live in the now. I don’t care how short it is , I’ll take it just to be with you , I swear if it’s your child I’ll love him and keep him safe and when the time comes, he’ll know who you are. I promise. I’ll do anything you ask as long as you love me, now ! ”
    His teeth flashed. They were sparkly, evenly aligned pearls, “We can make as many now’s as you want and I’ll hold you to that promise .”
    “I know,” she said grappling with his belt buckle, eager to consummate their agreement.
    He helped her by stripping hastily out