[European Style] Praying Mantis

"Robbie, I remember we had another dinner plan that didn't materialize." On the train back, Dominique reminded me, "I bought a 12-inch pizza yesterday."

I understand what he means: "OK."

There are many things in the world that confuse me.For example, Professor Curley's whereabouts, Grande's death, Laura's good and evil, and Dominique's inexplicable initiative towards me in the relationship.In many cases, the connection between us was initiated by him.I think if he did that to everyone else around him, he would have a huge circle of friends by now.

By the time we got back to Dominique's neighborhood, the clock was ticking a quarter to seven.Even in the hot summer of the northern hemisphere, this time point has reached the moment of twilight.But the street lights hadn't had time to turn on, which caused us to have to grope forward in the darkness.

“When I was a kid, my mom got off work late. So every day after school I would go to church and be brought home late,” Dominique said. “In summer, the days are much longer in Boston than here.”

"Really? Our family only goes to church once a week on Sunday for prayer," I said.

"You must not believe it, my mother is a devout Catholic." Dominique told me with a smile, as if telling a funny joke, "In this world, besides money, the only thing she believes in is God. Fortunately, she got rid of this habit when she came to San Francisco."

If my memory serves me, this is the first time he has described his mother to me in a neutral or emotional way.The bright and gentle moonlight sprinkled lightly on his face, painting his pale face in warm tones.There was silence all around, and I could clearly hear our even and peaceful breathing one after another.Just being alone with Dominic, it's easy to get subtle, which is something I don't experience when I'm in the company of other lads.

I couldn't help recalling that kiss of unknown meaning.Although this accident was classified as a farce, I always took it to heart, as if it was a turning point in my life.

But my messy thoughts like a pregnant girl were quickly interrupted by an unexpected guest.Under the dim moonlight, on the quiet street, a pair of powerful arms suddenly stretched out from the side of the road, and grabbed my trousers tightly!

"Sir! Sir, help me..." A hoarse voice sounded, which made all the hairs on my body stand on end.I looked down, and the stinky smell came into my sight along with a dirty face.is a bum.

"You...what's the matter with you?" I asked him.

"I'm sick, sir. High fever. But I don't have money for medicine." His tone was very weak.Looking at his flushed face and heavy, rapid breathing, I thought he wasn't lying.

"How much do you want?" I slowly reached into my pocket, intending to give the poor guy some change.

"For twenty dollars, sir!" he said, "for twenty dollars you can save a poor man's life."

"Okay, okay, please wait a moment."

I took out a $50 bill from my wallet and planned to give it all to this homeless middle-aged man.But I didn't expect that when I was about to hand him the money, a gust of evening wind suddenly blew, it was so strong that it blew the beggar to the ground——when I figured out the cause of the accident At the time of cause and effect, Dominic's shoe prints had rained down on him.And the weak under him could only hold his head and sob to endure the violence: "Stop, stop, Nick..."

"You recognize him?" I looked at Dominique in astonishment.

"This guy's name is Bob. He's a liar, don't believe him, he's a product of incest!" Dominique said while kicking the poor man under his feet, "Disgusting guy!"

"Nick, I'm really sick this time. Believe me, just once! Stop it! For God's sake!" Bob cried aloud.

"Why didn't your grandfather think about God when he fucked your mother?" Dominic didn't feel the slightest pity because of his begging for mercy, but increased the strength on his feet, "You disgusting monster!"

Poor Bob was kicked black and blue, and gradually lost the ability to resist.Finally, after discovering that the venting device under his body had become as dull as a puppet, Dominic finally ended his violence with a curse: "Get out!"

Then, in the real evening wind, he walked toward his home without looking back.

"Are you okay?" I squatted down and asked Bob tentatively.He looked like he was dying.

"Ahem..." He coughed a few times, raised his head with difficulty, and made a hoarse voice, "Thank you for your concern, sir, I am still alive."

"You take the money, go buy medicine." I stuffed the $50 bill into his hand.

"Sir, you're such a good man. God bless you." He squeezed my hand with the last of his strength, and the rough calluses between the knuckles of his fingers hurt my hand.

I quickly followed Dominic's pace and walked into the door behind him.I didn't see the expression on Dominique's face until I turned on the ceiling light in the living room.

Unexpectedly, this was the first time I saw a sullen look on his face.He seemed very dissatisfied with my charity, and asked me in a complaining tone: "Why did you give him money?"

"He's really sick, Nick. If he's not treated, he's going to die," I explained.

"As I said, he is a liar, and his parents were born in incest!" Dominique raised his voice, "He shouldn't live in this world."

"But he's human, just like us." I tried to correct him, "Listen, everyone has flaws..."

"But his flaws are unforgivable." Dominic retorted bluntly, "Homosexuality, pedophilia and incest are all unforgivable sins!"

"Bang!" He had just finished speaking the last word when he accidentally knocked off the British bone china that was on hand.The small porcelain cup fell heavily on the ground, and the elegant marigold pattern was shattered into pieces.The unusually sharp sound disturbed the sparrows perched on the branches outside the window, and awakened the sleeping Hazel Street.

Dominique was visibly frightened.His complexion was pale, his lips lost their original rosiness, his breathing became rapid, and tiny beads of sweat ooze from his forehead.It's the first time I've seen him look so groggy.

"Robby, I didn't mean it." Dominic looked down at the ceramic shards at his feet, looking a little nervous, and he didn't even know where to put his hands.

"Relax, Nick, it's okay." I comforted him, then turned to get the broom, "I'll clean it up."

In the next second, I felt a burst of warmth from behind wrapping me like a baby's swaddle. If the Holy Mother could really appear, her embrace must be like this moment.Dominique hugged my body tightly from behind, put his head on my back, and said softly, "Robbie, I'm sorry. I lost control of my emotions just now."

"No, it's okay." The sudden intimate contact made my face flushed red, and I was trembling even when I spoke, "Nick, you..."

"Don't talk," Dominique said. "Let me hold you for a while."

"……it is good."

"I used to hug Doug like this. His back is wider than yours." Dominique chuckled, "But Chris is different. He doesn't like this behavior."

"Why?" I asked cautiously.

"He thought it was weird," Dominique said, "but he liked it when I did it to him."

As he spoke, he gently pulled my hand, turned me around, then stood on tiptoe, and pressed my lips again.