Every Saturday, we’ll be posting a new illustration by David Lester. The Mecca Normal guitarist is visually documenting people, places and events from his band’s 29-year run, with text by vocalist Jean Smith.
An excerpt from Jean Smith’s yet-to-be-published novel Obliterating History—A Guitar-Making Mystery, Domination & Submission In A Small Town Garage
continued from last week
“What’s your last name, Frank?”
“MacLean,” says Frank without missing a beat, giving Veronica what she needs, giving up anonymity to make her feel comfortable. With a woman like her, he doesn’t need to consider if she is worth it or not. She is.
“If I was to look you up, would I find you listed?”
“Yes. Like I said. On Cherry.” Frank’s voice is normal. Matter of fact. “I know you need to trust me. I understand that.”
“I’d like to limit it to a non-sexual situation.”
“How do you mean?”
“I mean, that we won’t have sex. Intercourse. That what we do won’t include penetration or oral sex.”
Frank sips his tea and considers the concept in a way that he hadn’t anticipated; she’s right, they will need to create a structure and adhere to it, otherwise the flood of images in his mind will hinder them. If Veronica relinquishes control, he needs to know, in all seriousness, what that means to her, where her limits are. He must stay within them to avoid disaster. Some of this has been gleaned through his research earlier that day, but as he visualizes what may happen next, he understands that he doesn’t want to be entirely responsible, that he cannot be. Veronica needs to say what she wants to have happen. Veronica is actually in control.
“In January,” from The Family Swan (Kill Rock Stars, 2002) (download):
