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“I had to do it sometime, don’t you think?”
I smile, and then he comes closer and gives me a honeyed kiss as he squeezes me tighter and tighter. He lifts me in his arms and places me on the bed. He raises my dress, takes off my panties, and without taking his eyes off me, he undoes his belt and lets his pants and briefs fall around his feet.
He lies down on top of me, finds me wet and waiting, and, taking both my hands in his, slowly submerges in me.
I tremble and close my eyes.
“Look at me, love. I need you to look at me.”
His plea makes me open them. I gasp, and Eric puts his mouth on mine as he hammers me, accelerating his pace each time to give me more and more pleasure.
“Harder ... harder,” I demand.
Eric lets go of my hands and takes hold of my hips. He plows into me while I scream and convulse.
“Yes, Jude ... yes, love.”
My orgasm arrives in tandem with his, and he folds on top of me. We stay like that for a few minutes, out of breath, until Eric lifts up his face.
“All right, Jude. I’ll go back tomorrow and have the surgery. But I need you to think very seriously about coming to live in Germany with me and Flyn. Will you think about it?”
I nod.
57
Living without Eric is difficult for me.
I’ve gotten used to his hanging out at the office and strolling through my apartment, so being alone throws me off balance.
Before leaving, he wanted to tell my supervisor the truth about our relationship, but I asked him not to. I hate gossip, and I know our relationship will provoke a lot of talk.
The day of Eric’s surgery, Sonia calls and tells me that everything has turned out fine but Eric is in a foul mood. He’s a lousy patient. After a few days, I ask Sonia about the possibility of my going to Germany. She consults Eric and he refuses. He doesn’t want me to see him not doing well. I try to convince her, but she reminds me that she already told me her son is a lousy patient and adds that at moments like these, it’s best not to go against his wishes.
Desperate, I call my dad and tell him what’s happening.
As best he can, he calms me down and tells me to go to bed and get some rest. When I arrive home the following day, I find my father and sister at my place. They try to lift my spirits and assure me that Eric is a strong man and, no matter what, he’ll return to my side. I want to believe that. I need to believe that.
At dawn, my father and I talk. I mention the possibility that I could move to Germany to live with Eric and Flyn, and he seems to accept it. He encourages me to live my life with the person I love and who loves me.
A week later, my father returns to Jerez. He needs to get back to his business, but my sister stays to take care of me. Even though she drives me crazy sometimes, she’s the best sister in the world.
From: Eric Zimmerman
Date: October 17, 2012, 10:38 p.m.
To: Judith Flores
Subject: I miss you.
I hate the treatment and my sister. She puts me in a bad mood.
As for Flyn, I don’t know what to do.
I miss you.
I love you.
Eric