Harry
is the one that almost used this exact phrase in the chapter
‘Things Roll On’. He is talking about how the
relationship between Red and he developed. I also think that
the manner of there relationship, although very strong, was
often also very stormy. This chapter is reproduced with kind permission
of the author
Things
Roll On
Beware the course that looks straight, for there are always
reefs hidden in the mist
It would be wrong to say that Red and I instantly became constant lovers;
it just wasn't like that. Often we went for long periods
just being friends, close friends but just friends. I will
add to the confusion by saying that sex was a large part
of our relationship but it was also the smallest part.
It was mostly having somebody around that, as time progressed
became another part of myself, the more innocent, caring
part, and a sort of balance. In the beginning, at times,
it got a bit tricky. We were both strongly individualistic
and Red could be a severe pain in the arse. She was stubborn
to the nth degree, determined and challenging. This made
for some interesting clashes of will. I had never come across
a female quite like her. She often had me very confused
and seemed to have the knack of catching me wrong footed.
It took as long for me to handle her as it did her to handle
me. In the end we silently called it a draw. Yes a true
pain in the arse - but you had to love her. I might as well
say it now and get it out of the way. Red is the only woman
I have ever loved. I have been strongly attracted to others
but once you have experienced the real thing you understand
how vast the difference is.
Unlike me, Red was a contact person. Anybody that owns a
cat will know that if it wants to curl up on your lap, you
might as well go along with it, as a cat never takes no
for a answer. In the end you get used to it being there
and miss it when it goes away. Well, Red was like that.
More and more over the years, no matter what I was doing,
she would just sort of snuggle up. If I sat in a chair reading
she would somehow find the space to lay across the chair
with her head either on my shoulder or in the crook of my
arm. Then it was quite likely she would just fall asleep.
After a while I got so used to her being there that it felt
strange and a bit lonely if she wasn't. However, all this
contact stuff is fine for a bed where you have plenty of
room but a 5 ft 10in female draped across you in a chair
can get a bit heavy, especially when she then falls asleep.
Many times I have had to hop around a room trying to get
feeling back into numb limbs and fixing cramp after madam
had decided to wake up.
Jean taught me that sex should be fun and happy; Red taught
me that it was something to be had at any time, any place.
I think sex is like an annoying itch, something that has
to be scratched to make it go away. The problem was that
Red got ‘the itch’ far more than I did and at
the weirdest times. One night we were going out to dinner
with some friends. We had just finished getting showered
dressed etc, and in Red’s case make-up had been applied.
The hire car was on its way and would arrive within ten
minutes.
I always knew when Red was in the mood, she got a funny
look on her face and would call Harrryyyy in a drawn out
way. This she did now.
"No" I said "Couldn’t you have thought
of that before we got dressed"?
"I didn’t want to then".
"Well it’s too late now - later when we
get home".
"No now", and the dress that had taken an hour
to select and put on, fell to the floor.
"Perhaps I’m not in the mood".
She smiled like a cat "You will be".
We only kept the car waiting for twenty minutes or so. As
I said, it was just an itch that had to be scratched, that
is, if I wanted any peace.
Red had another
little habit that I found quite unique. When speaking to
you she would often stretch out her right arm and placed
the palm of her hand in the centre of your chest. It wasn't
a 'fend off' gesture; indeed she often got closer as she
spoke. Rather it was if she got some comfort and understanding
from the contact. She did it with all the Ducks, not just
me - and the lads, at times, got quite weak at the knees.
Plus, being a female she was rat cunning and if she wanted
something done, the old hand on the chest trick, linked
with the request usually ensured that the Ducks would fall
over themselves to comply. If she wanted a really big favor
she would place her left hand on your shoulder and the other
on your chest, she always got her wish. Taff was the worse,
after the 'both hands' trick the little druid had to sit
down with a beer and a banana sandwich.
Looking back from the future, as gray haired, aging man,
I believe that, just once in maybe a hundred years or so,
two people come together that really are the two parts needed
for each to be complete. I think that’s how it was
with Red and me. At the time I was still too immature to
understand, I just felt very 'lucky'.
