1977 - My Laugh Comes Last Read Online Free PDF Page B

through the sand shrubs and on to the stretch of golden sand.
    Would she come?
    I had had two hectic, but profitable days in 'Frisco. The deal had gone through, but we would need yet another loan from the bank. I was confident we would get it, and I told Bill I would talk to Brannigan this day while we played golf.
    But first Glenda.
    Then I saw her.
    She was sitting on the sand, wearing an emerald-green bikini, her knees up to her chin, her hands gripping her ankles, the sun reflecting on her red hair.
    I stopped and looked at her, and at this moment I thought she was the most desirable, wonderful woman on earth.
    She looked towards me and smiled.
    As I joined her, she said quietly, 'So you see, Larry, the temptation was too great. All my good intentions of not seeing you again…’ She grimaced. 'I have had you on my mind, night and day.' She released her ankles and dropped back, stretching out. 'Don't let's talk, darling... let's make love.'
    I threw off my shirt and slacks as she got rid of her bikini.
    I knelt over her, loving the sight of her body, wanting to kiss every inch of her.
    'No . . . quickly, Larry. Come into me.'
    There was an urgency in her voice that set me on fire. As I covered her and she guided me into her, she gave a soft cry.
    Her legs wrapped around me. Her fingers dug into my flesh.
    The sun, the sound of the sea and the rustle of leaves made a perfect background as, feverishly, we reached the climax.
    Her fingers moved down my back, holding me in her.
    'Again,' she gasped. 'Please... again!'
    Then a voice from nowhere said, 'Break it up, you sonofabitch,' and a shoe thudded into my ribs. The kick was so violent, it threw me off her. Rolling on my back, I stared up.
    A short, squat man was standing over me. I saw him as a nightmare, sharply in focus: bearded, suntanned, eyes like currants stuck in honey bread. A panama hat was pulled down, shading his bushy eyebrows. He wore a crumpled, dirty white suit.
    As Glenda struggled to her feet, he hit her with the back of his hand, a vicious blow that sent her sprawling.
    A murderous rage swept through me. I launched myself at f him, my hands groping for his throat. We smashed down on the sand, and for a long moment, we fought like animals.
    His strength, was horrifying. Although I had a grip on his throat, he broke my hold. His fist smashed into my face, his knee came up into my groin. The hot sun suddenly turned dim as if there was a sudden eclipse. I clung on to his coat, and again his fist smashed into my face. Still this murderous rage gave me strength to throw him off. As he fell on his back, I heaved myself up and using both fists, I clubbed down on his face. My body was screaming with pain, but I didn't care. All I wanted now was to kill him. As I raised my fists to club him again, a light exploded inside my head, and the sun snapped off like a fused light.
    I swam out of unconsciousness, feeling the grit of sand on my skin. I moved, and a blinding flash of pain shot through my head. I heard myself groan. I lay still. My groin ached.
    My ribs ached. My face ached.
    The sun burned down on me. I could hear the gentle lap of the sea on the beach, and the rustle of leaves in the breeze.
    Very slowly, I gathered myself together. Very slowly, my hands holding my head, I sat up. I rode the pain, hammering inside my skull, forced open my eyes and stared around the deserted beach.
    No Glenda. No squat man. I had Ferris Point to myself.
    I waited, my hands still holding my head, then I became aware that my hands were sticky, and with a shudder, I took them from my head and looked at them. They were red with drying blood.
    Because every movement I made sent pangs of pain through me, I remained staring down at my bloodstained hands, motionless.
    Maybe twenty minutes crawled by before my brain became activated.
    Where was Glenda? What had happened?
    I looked at my watch. The time now was 08.45. I had been unconscious for some thirty minutes. Making an effort, I