The God of Love Will See You Now

  Revenge

  The God of Love Says It's on the House

  "What'll it be?"

  "Something white. Chardonnay?

  "Red, I think."

  "Excuse me?"

  "Red. It's more… appropriate."

  A pause. "Appropriate?"

  "The season. The light. The situation." He gestured vaguely toward the window.

  "What do you mean, the situation?"

  "It's on the house."

  "I should know better."

  "No one knows better." He shrugged. "Just a minute."

  He opened a door. She heard his feet on the stairs. Down. Up. He blew the dust off a bottle, then wiped it with a bar rag.

  "Here." He set down a glass and poured.

  She was reluctant to touch the glass. It was spotless, perfect. She reached for it anyway.

  He stopped her. "Not yet."

  "Look, it's been a long day."

  "It should breathe."

  "Why is this so complicated?"

  "It's not so complicated."

  "Compared to everything else, yeah, that's true."

  "You want to talk about that?"

  "Look, I just came in for a glass of wine."

  "No problem." He polished the bar.

  "I'm back from the lawyer. Trying to figure things out."

  "Marriage?"

  "How'd you know?"

  "It's a bar. I'm an expert."

  "You would be."

  "Go ahead." He pointed at the wine.

  She lifted the glass, drank. "God. What is that?"

  "Border region. Bolivia and Argentina. Crushed by foot. By nuns."

  "You're kidding."

  "Never."

  "It tastes like there's something in it."

  He just cocked his head.

  "So I'm home with the kids."

  "Kids."

  "Girls. Three and four. He's working. So he says."

  "At what?"

  "The secretary. If you want to know the truth."

  "Hmm." He gave the bar another swipe.

  "What about you?"

  "You really want to know, I'll tell you."

  "I asked."

  "I'm the God of Love."

  "That's a good one."

  "It's all the same to me. People believe or they don't. Not my problem."

  "And you're the bartender here. In your spare time."

  "It's my place. Valentine's Café."

  "So you're…"

  "Victor Valentine. I get sent around. Here and there."

  "Sent around?"

  He glanced toward the ceiling. "The higher powers."

  "Sure." She looked into her glass. "This stuff really has a kick."

  "True enough."

  She touched her forehead, felt a film of sweat.

  "So Mr. God of Love…"

  "Victor."

  "Victor. What do I do? You should know."

  "I'll tell you. If you want to know."

  "Sure I want to know. I just came from the lawyer. I bet you're cheaper.

  "Different coin. Different realm."

  "But this is your racket, right? Love. Whatever that is."

  "Exactly."

  "So…"

  "You know Jack Frost's?"

  "The restaurant?"

  "Barely. Anyway. In a half hour you walk in the door. You sit in the corner behind the bar. Your husband arrives with Janet."

  "You know her name?"

  "I know."

  "You sure this is just wine?"

  "It's not. Don't worry. Just listen."

  "I feel like I'm burning up."

  "Of course you do. So Dale walks in with Janet. Helps her with her coat. Pulls out her chair. A gentleman."

  "Sure. With her. Prick."

  "Waiter. Wine list. You wait for the drinks to come. He puts his hand on hers. There's something going on under the table. You okay with this?"

  "This is nothing. Compared to what I imagine."

  "Compared to what else actually goes on. Listen now. This is important. You can't do it halfway. You do it like you invented the word grievance."

  "Didn't I?"

  He chuckled. "Good. You get up. You knock over your chair. You march to their table. Her phone is next to her wine glass. You pocket her phone."

  "I steal it?"

  "You take it. Next you grab the table with both hands and flip it over."

  "Lucky you're not the God of War."

  "Pay attention. Here's what you say. Shout is more like it. Here's my husband and the secretary he's been fucking while I sit at home with two kids. You want to repeat that?"

  "I think I got it. Here's my question. Won't they arrest me?"

  "Nah. Nobody knows what to do in this situation. Everybody wants it to be over."

  "Then that's it?"

  "No. You've got her phone. You stand up straight. Take your time. Walk out the door. You go to your car, open her phone book send this group text. Janet fucks my husband, Dale, while I sit at home with two kids."

  "Then what?"

  "Divorce him. Same destination. Different path."

  "What's in it for me?"

  "You want to forgive and forget, go to church. You want a life of passion, listen to the God of Love."

  "I walked in here by accident."

  "Maybe. Maybe not."

  "I won't regret this?"

  "Sure you will. But you'll regret it more if you don't."

  She thought about that. She checked her watch.

  "I better get going," she said.