The Marriage Bus

Victor parked in an empty lot on the corner of Third Street and Portland Avenue, behind a five-story, yellow-brick building that resembled a warehouse. At the top of the old structure was a large white sign that said the Whitney Hotel. "The Whitney doesn’t look very fancy from the back," Grant said. "Famous celebrities stay here to avoid the crowds. You're really going to be surprised." Victor turned the rear view mirror so he could comb his hair. "They have a cozy bar. I want you to see the mahogany woodwork. Dad used to do woodwork like that. It's really impressive…." Then, Grant inhaled a strong scent of perfume, and felt someone leaning against his back and rubbing his shoulders and neck. After he saw that is was Sheri, he hugged her and gave her an affectionate kiss. "Are you going to buy us a drink?" Sheri asked flirting. Grant wondered why she said "us." Then, he saw June hovering like an angel behind Sheri. Suddenly, his mouth salivated, his throat constricted, and his nerves tingled. June was wearing a loose-fitting, fire-red blouse, and a tight, black silk skirt. Grant thought that she was waiting to meet a dashing young pilot, but he and Victor were the only ones still seated at the bar. Then, he thought that June was simply tagging along with Sheri, and that Sheri had run into Victor accidentally. June wasn’t his dinner date, because Victor hadn't said anything about meeting these two really attractive girls. "Well, isn’t this a coincidence," Victor said, squeezing Sheri and then kissing her. "We’re sure getting lucky tonight, aren’t we Grant?" "We were just wandering by," Sheri said, laughing. "I just happen to have dinner reservations for four,” Victor said. “Would you girls like to join us?” June shrugged her shoulders, as though she were being agreeable. He hadn’t known that Victor had lined up dates; therefore, Grant wasn’t guilty of doing anything wrong. He felt an extreme attraction for June, and yet he tried to convince himself that June wouldn’t try to seduce him…. Standing above St. Anthony Falls, with the mist rising from the roaring spillway and floating over the Stone Arch Bridge, Grant had to make a decision. Victor asked him if he and June were going to the girls' apartment or walk across the Stone Arch Bridge and see the lights of the city at night. Grant replied that he wanted to stand on the bridge and take in the sights of the skyscrapers, the high rise apartments, the other beautiful bridges, the Metrodome, the shadowy old mills, and the Old Man River himself. Looking over the railing of the bridge above the frothing water that tumbled in wild-looking, white waves below, Grant wrapped his coat around June’s shoulders and squeezed her, because she was shivering in the cold, damp mist. Then, he began shivering uncontrollably and felt as though he were going to lose his balance, and fall over the railing into the roily foam. Victor was probably undressed and already in bed with Sheri. He didn’t want to prevent Victor from enjoying himself, but after Victor had laid this trap for him, he wasn't sure if he should dive into bed with June or keep his record clean. He thought he should escort June back to her apartment, and then merely hug and kiss and pet with her, but that he’d be a gentleman and remain virtuous. After they entered the mirrored lobby of June's high rise, which had marble fountains arching spurts of bubbling water into the air, Grant felt like a cosmopolitan who lived in New York City. The impressive wonders of nature and the artificial excitement of the city coexisted and flowed together. Everything was floating in a sea of relativity, he thought, riding up to the tenth floor with June, his lover with long delicate fingers and soft hands. As she leaned forward to unlock her door, Grant slid his hands along her sides and under her blouse, feeling her hard nipples through her silky bra. She pushed back into him. After he slid his hands down to her hips, they moved forward together into her dark apartment. She closed and locked the door behind them. Then, she led him to the windows that overlooked the falls. The chill they had while standing on the bridge left them; they now felt safe and warm. He moved his hands all over her body, feeling the contours, as she backed into him. He was intoxicated by her perfumed hair. He kissed her neck. When she turned, he kissed her lips. He removed her red blouse and unhooked her bra, which fell to the floor. Then, he unzipped her skirt, and she stepped out of her panties. He stepped out of his loafers, as she tugged at his shirt and unbuttoned it. She pulled off his tie. Then, she unhooked his belt. "Wait," he said. "What's wrong?" "Victor might come out." "Are you ashamed of me?" "I don't want him to see me." "All right…." His conscience was still bothering him. As he disrobed, he pretended that he was in a dressing room simply changing his clothes. June had climbed into bed, so he quickly hid beneath the blankets next to her. They kissed and stroked each other's skin softly. When he touched her, she felt as soft as silk. His brain cells were firing so rapidly he felt dizzy. When it was over, he lay exhausted, feeling sea sick. He wanted to nuzzle June's soft breasts. June and Sonja could easily be interchangeable. What was the point of being married to only one female? He wanted to experience freedom like Victor. Making love was so pleasurable. Suddenly, a loud knock on the door jarred him awake. "Time to go home. It's one o'clock."