Change of Course

 Well, I had a bit of a change of course. Turns out I have read Caper (see here) and Sullivan’s Sting (see here). Also turns out that I didn’t really care for either of them. Sure. They were Lawrence Sanders, which made them good, but I want great at the moment. So, if I have to re-read something, I’m going to re-read something really good or great. 

I’ve moved to Lawrence Sanders’ Sixth Commandment. 

What’s also really nice is I started that novel that I had sitting somewhere in the back of my mind. Sure I could be working on Sunset Perfect, or I could be working on the Elephants novel, or any of the other that I’ve worked on. But I have this month, might as well get this one on paper. 

Regardless, here’s that first line for the current novel I’m reading:

LATE NOVEMBER, AND THE world was dying. A wild wind hooted faintly outside the windows. Inside, the air had been breathed too many times. 

“It’s got nothing to do with your age,” I said. 

“Liar,” she said. 

I tried to groan. Swung my legs out of bed and lighted a cigarette. Sat there smoking, hunched over. She fumbled with my spine. 

“Poor baby,” she said. 

I wouldn’t look at her. I knew what I’d see: a small body so supple it twanged. Short brown hair cut like a boy’s. All of her sleek. She had me in thrall. Soft swell to her abdomen. A little brown mole on the inside of her left thigh. Her ass was smooth and tight. 

“All I’m saying,” I said, “is that I’ve got to go away on a business trip. A week, two weeks, a month—who knows? I’ve got to; it’s my job.” 

“I’ve got five weeks’ vacation coming,” she said. “I could get a leave of absence. I could quit. No problem.” 

I didn’t answer.