OCR Text |
Show 175 You were uneasy when I saw you this afternoon, I say. The way you were holding onto the rail. Just anxious, she says. I want to get started, have something to do. I'm not used to so much empty time. We'll be in Haifa tomorrow evening. I know, she says. It is not yet late, but in a few minutes the bartender will want to close up, turn out the lights. I ask her if she would like one last brandy and ginger. She is drinking them at my suggestion. I have told her that ginger is good for sea stomach and brandy good for the head. Paco told me this about women: there is no point in looking for perfection because to find it would only make you afraid of losing it. Once, in Malaga, he came to my hotel saying he would take me to dinner. He was with a woman. She had high cheekbones, fiery eyes, wore diamonds at her neck, and when we left his arm was around her waist. During dinner they spoke like lovers, and she plainly cared for him. We danced and drank late, the three of us having an excellent time but Paco having the best, and I thought, yes, Paco, yes. At my hotel, she waited in the lobby while Paco stumbled with me to my room, the two of us drunk and holding each other up. She is beautiful, he said, and I agreed. A tiger in bed, he whispered. I made some appropriately jealous sound. She would make a good |