Artistic Liberties

'His heart beat faster and faster as Daisy’s white face came up to his own. He knew that when he kissed this girl...'

Nick’s pen hovered over the paper. Where were the words he needed? How was he to describe the absolute adoration of Jay Gatsby?

'When he kissed this girl... and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never again romp like mind of God.' He scribbled the flow of ink in a moment of excitement. The images clouded his mind and he could see oh so clearly the instant Gatsby’s lips brushed Daisy’s. A smile dissolving into pressed mouths and at last Gatsby’s soul settled comfortably into his body, for a moment content with himself.

'Then he kissed her. At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete.' Gatsby never knew such bliss as that instant when Daisy’s hand found his cheek and-

“Nick, old sport! I fancied a trip over to Coney Island. Would you come along if I asked- supposing it’s convenient enough for you?” This wasn’t the sweet moan of love Nick was imagining. The smiling Gatsby stepped into the room, adjusting bronze cuff links on a fine linen shirt. Nick clumsily pushed the papers to the back of the table, hoping his neighbor wouldn’t see.

“Mr. Gatsby!” He sounded surprised, but hopefully not as guilty as he felt. He couldn’t help staring for a second at Gatsby’s smile- more specifically his lips. He cleared his throat and pushed thoughts of his friend kissing out of his mind. “I understood you were seeing Daisy this afternoon. Plans change?”

“No, no, things are peachy- just thought you might come along with us.” He smiled and Nick understood that propriety kept him as a necessary companion on all public outings as it afforded Gatsby the privacy from questioning looks and Daisy from Tom’s suspicions.

Gatsby clasped his hands behind him to keep from fidgeting as he approached the other, and when no answer was forthcoming clapped him on the back good-naturedly. “Oh, do come! All this bonds work that keeps you cooped up isn’t as urgent as a day out with Daisy and-” He trailed off as his eyes alighted on his own name in Nick’s papers.

Instantly Nick rose, drawing his coat from the back of the chair and nodded with a purpose and a smile. “Well alright, I can put off the papers a day. Is she outside or should we...?”

Gatsby didn’t pay his words mind, curiosity aroused. “Mind if I- please-” but ‘mind if’s and ‘please’s were formalities as the papers were already in his hands.

Nick offered helplessly, “I- umm, keep a bit of a journal for myself... You remember the other day when you told me how you two... met?”

Gatsby’s eyes glanced skeptically up. “At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower...? I don’t think those were my words, old sport.”

Nick, feeling rather enflamed with embarrassment, took the paper gingerly and tucked it into his coat pocket. “I may have elaborated.”

“It’s a bit-” Gatsby chuckled.

“Weird. I get it, I do. It’s just a journal. Sometimes I write stories and I just wanted to try something-”

“A bit flattering.”

Nick blinked.

“You think it’s-” Nick suddenly felt the need to deny everything about this rather awkward situation. “It’s not about you. Well, directly, the idea was you, but it’s much deeper than that. You know, symbolic and the like. It’s just a character with your name.”

Neither was quiet convinced.

“And this character- does his story end happily, old sport?”

“I don’t know yet.”

There was a drawn out pause.

“Still a touch strange.” Gatsby mumbled. He chuckled. “You think about us kissing a lot?” He was quick to add: “Us... Daisy and I.”

“I think about you a lot in general.” Nick amended: “You and her.”

The comfortable companionship was quickly seeping out of the room as the silence lengthened and their gazes fell.

Gatsby plunged his hands into his pockets and headed for the door, gesturing that Nick should follow. Then he stopped. “Nick... you’re not.... It’s all fine, of course, but are you- well-”

“So Coney Island it is!” Nick ejaculated. “Shall we?” He rushed out of the door and didn’t get to see Gatsby’s smile return.