Godless

   We lie there in bed, the musk of sex and sweat filled the room. My body to hers, my cousin Nora. Yes, we fucked in the high heat of passion, but don’t judge me just yet. 

   To start this story we have to go a ways back. For a little framework, I was born to an already broken marriage. My father a serial cheater and my mother could never fully let him go. I know they maintained a physical relationship years after the divorce, everyone saw the signs. He had too much charm and equally excessive libido. I guess that is where I get it. 

   I was always told I was just like him. I was great at sports, was a natural leader, good looking, and you guessed it, i did well with the opposite sex. Like him, I also had a penchant for a good time. Drinking by 14, and smoking by 15. Never touched a cigarette though. A real fast track to the social underbelly, saved only by my talents on the field and in the classroom. Why is this relevant? You’ll see.

   We can fast forward now, ten years specifically. A family event with a lot of liquor involved. My mother and her sister-in-law are in a heated argument about her failed relationships. The judgemental religious types are always quick to throw stones. They often forget you shouldn’t sling mud, especially when there is mud to sling back. Mother let it fly about knowing that Nora’s mother had an affair less than a year before she was born and that she might not be her father’s daughter. The blow struck hard. Nora, her parents, and her husband stormed out immediately.

   I love Nora, always have, be it as a cousin or otherwise. I was worried about her. I gave her a couple days to sort stuff out but ultimately had to see if she was ok. I texted her and figured I’d let her respond on her own time. The reply came a few minutes after the text.

  Nora: Hey

  Me: You ok?

  Nora: not really

  Me: was it true?

  Nora: yeah

  Me: sorry to hear that

  Nora: not your fault

  Me: still… Eric being supportive?

  Nora: not really. Id rather not talk about him.

  Me: sorry. Parents?

  Nora: looks like divorce. She apparently didnt stop after i was born.

  Me: wow, i wish i could help

  Nora: its ok, not your fault.

  Me: still id like to help somehow, at least be a shoulder.

  Nora: thnx i need one.

   The conversation ended and I went about my day until I slipped into a cat nap on my couch, awoken hours later by my phone buzzing. It was a text from Nora.

  Nora: that shoulder still available?

  Me: yeah. Need it?

  Nora: yeah omw

   The doorbell rang while I was putting tea on. Nora stood in the doorway, clearly dressed in a rush. The mismatched clothes and the large sunglasses told the story before she even said a word. I slowly pulled the glasses away revealing a purple mark around Nora’s eye. My facial expression must have been hard as stone.

   “Can I come in?”

   “Yeah, here let me take your bag.” The bag that came into view was a small luggage bag. Packed for a couple nights. “Have a seat, Tea? Coffee?”

   “Tea please, you know that “

   “Right.” I already had some brewing but asked anyway. It was done not a minute after she sat down, I poured her a glass and sat down next to her. She sipped it slowly and kept her eyes closed. 

   “Nora, did Eric…” She nodded eyes still closed. A tear forming under her eye. I wrapped my arms around her and drew her close to me. 

   “He said I was a godless child, a product of sinful lust and that I didn’t belong in his home. I tried to reason with him, but you see where that got me.” 

   “Well, you have a home here as long as you need it.”

   “Thank you” she said as she bit her lip and the tears began flowing. 

   Now Nora and I were close since childhood and have always connected, maybe thats why I did it. Maybe I know no other way to console a woman, maybe I was doing exactly what she wanted.