In Over Her Head by Elsie Russell - Parnasse.com

folding metal cot all neatly made up, with Angelino's baroque crucifix
on the wall high above the pillow, with the old milk crate coffee table
next to the bed with the lute and his Francesco da Milano scores.
So, this was where he lived, like a stowaway in his own house.
They kicked off their shoes and whatever else was still attached to them
and fell together into the narrow cot and lost it completely.
"So, what happened?" She asked as they lay there one on top of
the other in a sea of sweat.
"I woke up with tubes in my throat in a room full of dying old
people. Züt had told that me my heart and my liver were not so good
when he examined me at the Gulag―yes I was there also, but in a
different section. It is no matter now. So, I am thinking―"
"In the hospital? I.C.U.? Nobody told me!"
"Why would they? They are expecting me to die any day now.
Pfft! Yes. So, I am thinking. Züt ordered me not to touch you―
government property. Dick and Ula ordered me not to touch you—
their property. He has me by the balls and doesn't she! I have been a
good boy and I have not touched you, (mostly.)"
He sighed, "Oh Penelope, what have I done?"
What could she say?
"Do you think I am a coward? I have been. But now I say va
funcullo to them all. If I do not live long, I can at least live that short
time in happiness, with you. What can they do, kill me?" After a burst
of bitter laughter, he choked on heavy sobs.
After she had calmed him down, he mused, half to himself,
"Ula and Dick, I understand, but Züt? His only concern is for his
career, the spying and the science! And that has not gone so good for
him, so, what does he care I am your boyfriend?"
"Oh, Sandro. Don't go there."
"Eh?"
She shook her head.
"Penelope, di mi, what did he do to you, besides?"
"Nothing, but at this fancy restaurant, the other day, just before
Giselle, he um, said he would take care of me, and, oh, whatever…
Guy's a real creep, like I said. Get the picture?"
He nodded.
"Hey, we're together now, it's okay."
Dozing off in her arms, he said,"Giselle, you saw Giselle? I did
not see you there."
"I saw you. Go to sleep, my prince."
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