96
LEONARD COHEN
tion I learned that her father was a doctor, that she was a medical
student, and that she was
25.
The honking having evaporated, her
detention became less feasible, and the officer warned her to be '
sensible, and by the time she finished thanking him with serious
politeness, he had almost apologized. When we were driving again
I
made her a proposal, pleased that there was no greed in my voice.
Somehow she created a stage of detachment for everyone to act on, to
act truly on.
I
also knew that she could never be humiliated.
- Look, I'm a writer and I'm here to .
- Published?
-Yes.
- I
don't believe you.
- I'm in a very lousy hotel room right now, but tomorrow
I'll
be moving into the Hotel Napoleon, and I'll have some money.
I
want you to stay with me.
-How long?
- As
long as you want.
- A
week. Your tan will be gone in a week.
- Stay with me for a week then.
- Do you know why
I
said yes?
-No.
- Because I want to change my life.
-So do
I.
- But I happen to be serious.
We drove silently to the Hotel Cluny Square and I thought that
perhaps I would fall in love with her, things being so lucky. The
sky was brightening, traffic thickening, and I wanted to fall asleep
with someone I loved. She smelled of lemon soap, and she drove
with a very straight back, her shoes on the seat between us because
she liked to feel the pedals. Comfortable with good fortune, I must
have relaxed too far, for some essential tension in the silence died,
and I felt her impatience begin. She double-parked beside the gold–
lettered door without killing the motor.
- I'm not coming up.
I wrinkled back her fresh skirt and dug my hand between her
thighs. She did not turn, she watched the road as if she were still
driving.
- Come upstairs, Michele. Let's forget about any contract for
a week. Just come and spend the morning with me. I have a little
