I waited like I did on prom night while Nina Sangallo's father pinned the corsage that I had bought for her onto his daughter's left breast. He had no plans of watching me do the honors. God save me if he knew of my plans for her later.

We stayed at the actual event for about forty-five minutes, thenfive or six couples left for the shore. I'm not sure what Nina told her father-- something like all the chicks were spending the night at Kim Palanca's. Instead we all got into two limos and headed south. In those days everybody just made out in front of everybody so the only time my lips strayed from Nina's was to snort a line of coke or smoke a joint. Jesus, talk about total gratification. I could have come twenty times just during the ride alone.

We had rented a beach house with two bedrooms, so we basically took turns having sex until late the next day when it was time to head back. I can honestly say I loved Nina and I cherish the times I spent with her. She could screw for hours. We were simpatico, until her father hired Nick Gadioso to help out with the business. He had a big truck, a big nose, and no plans of leaving New Jersey. This was the man Nina's father grandly accepted, which Nina agreed to without question. Now I see why it happened that way-- family-- but then I couldn't think about her without shivering. It hurt bad.

Now I wait while my hotel tattoo woman hides behind her curtain, about to receive my gesture. I tried to make the curtains open with my mind, but they continue to hang-- irritating my soul. I called once again. I got the same bell man. "Has she received them?" I asked.

"Let me check for you sir."

Again, I was left waiting. This seemed to encompass my life now-- the waiting. I waited for my woman, I waited for food, I waited for visitors, and now I waited for this idiot bell man for a small piece of information. I knew I was becoming a lunatic, but I couldn't stop. Unreasonable behavior settled into my every pore.

"No sir, they're about to go up."

"And you'll have the delivery boy come by my room afterward?"

"It will be another BELL MAN, yes sir." Clearly, delivery boy was not politically correct.

With that I hung up and hobbled back to my window and waited for my mysterious stranger.

*****

An hour later the bell man knocked on the door. Even though he must have been eighteen, he looked about twelve, so I was careful with my free-flying language.

"Who answered the door, a woman right?"

"Yes, sir. A woman."

"Did she seem glad about the flowers?"

"Oh yes, sir, they were beautiful."

"Did she think they were? Is that what she said?"

"Yes sir."

"What exactly did she say?"

"She said the flowers were beautiful."

"She used the word beautiful, are you sure?"

"I think so." He was starting to stammer.

"Look, just tell me word for word what happened. Word for word. You got that?"

"Okay, well I knocked...on the door that is, and well she opened it. She said, 'Hello, what lovely flowers...'oh, I guess she said lovely, not beautiful."

"What was her voice like, deep or soft?"

"Sort of harsh. Raspy."

"Sexy?"

He blushed. "Yes, something like that." I motioned him to continue. "Well, she took the flowers and walked inside leaving me at the door. She told me to come in and I did and I stood waiting for a tip." He took a deep breath. "I assumed that's why she wanted me to come in. And she did."

"She did what?"

"She tipped me three dollars."

"And...?"

"I said thank you, turned, and left closing the door behind me."

"All right, well, okay. Hey, what's your name?"

"Andrew."

I gave him five bucks and told him I might be in touch with him again to help me out with something. He was eager to please.

Back on my thrown, I didn't wait too long before the curtain began to move.