Drowning in the East River Read Online Free PDF

twenty-five. Her thick blonde hair was piled on top of her head into a thinly restrained up-do. Her tasteful make-up highlighted her large, blue eyes. She managed to possess an easy, homegrown look to her. She was the girl next door, all grown-up.
     
    "I feel like hell," David said, blowing lungful of smoke into the air. It hovered around his head for a moment before it dissipated.
     
    "Talk to me," Elise said. She looked over at David, a small smile spread across her lips as they made tentative eye contact. Her hand grazed over the top of his as she continued. "You know I'm always here for you." She spoke with a soft, almost husky voice.
     
    "It's Jessica," David said, his voice cracking awkwardly. "She-she died, with the baby." He fumbled in his pocket, reaching for his pack of cigarettes, the muscle memory keeping his mind distracted.
     
    Elise looked over at him with doll-like eyes. She looked remarkably fresh in the oppressive summer heat. She averted her eyes; her tone dropping self-consciously. "Now I feel like an ass. I'm sorry.”
     
    "You didn't know," David replied, lighting another cigarette. He paused, feeling himself choking on the words coming out of his mouth. He took a long drag from the cigarette, releasing the lung full of smoke slowly. He glanced over at her out of the corner of his eye. "I just wasn't sure where else to go. I'm sure you don't want to see me…"
     
    "David, stop it!" Her voice was sharp as she cut in, rubbing his back slowly. His breaths were slow and deliberate as he tried to collect himself. She sat forward in her seat, bracing her elbows against the bar. She angled her body into his. "You know you can always come here…"
     
    "I wasn't sure... you know... after last time." David spoke slowly, thinking through each word before saying it as his mind replayed scenes from the past. "We didn't exactly part the best.”
     
    Elise looked straight into his eyes, there was a no-nonsense edge to her voice as she jumped in. "And in all the time we've known each other, have I ever held a grudge for longer than a week?" She stopped and took a moment to think. She draped her hand on top of his, squeezing his fingers gently. "You're my best friend and I love you. I mean that.”
     
    David dropped his head, "I feel so lost.”
     
    She took the shot of whiskey in front of her as he sat up, angling her head slightly to face him. "I'm sorry, David. Do you nee-do you want to talk about-" The concern in her voice was genuine. She ran a gentle, soothing hand through his hair as she spoke.
     
    Cutting her off, David leaned in. He slid one hand around the back of her neck and guided her in for a kiss. His head was swimming from the liquor in his system. Elise didn't seem bothered as he parted his lips, and his tongue explored her mouth with urgency.
     
    Pulling back, Elise studied him with experienced eyes. There was desperation in the glassy and swollen eyes looking back at her. He had been crying a lot in the last couple of days. Searching for the right words, Elise gently traced her fingers down his scruffy cheek. "Are you alright? Do you need to lay down?”
     
    "Can we go upstairs?" David asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked up at her with wide eyes. “Please?"
     
    Elise held out her hand to David, and glanced towards the rickety stairs in the corner of the bar. She flashed him what she hoped would be a comforting smile, "Come on.”
     
    His hands trembled as he helped her to the floor.
     
    Turning the corner at the top of the stairs, David stepped forward, backing Elise against the wall with a soft thud. He opened his eyes, glancing at her through cloudy eyes. She met his glance with soft, unflinching eye contact.
     
    The hallway above The Birchwood was narrow one. A shoddy wooden bannister was the only separation from the bar twenty feet below. The only light came from a few weak gas lamps hanging further down the hall. The wooden planks under their feet cracked with each