Waiting For Columbus by Thomas Trofimuk Read Free Book Online Page A

is resolute and unflinching.
    “Juan?” Columbus says. “How are you, my friend?”
    Juan smiles. “Couldn’t be better. Just in the middle of something right now.”
    “I see,” Columbus says. He glances over at the four big men. He steps forward to the point where the man will have to step back in order to draw his sword if that’s the way this is going to play out.
    “What’s this about?” Columbus says.
    “She’s a stinkin’ Jew bitch.” The man spits out the word “bitch.”
    Columbus glances over his shoulder at Juan.
“Brevior saltare cum de-formibus viris est vita
, my friend,” he says.
    “Huh?” the big man says.
    “He said, life is too short to dance with ugly men.” Juan also steps forward, joins Columbus in crowding the giant. The tattooed man backs up a step, then another. Juan and Columbus take two steps forward. The big man’s three friends spread out.
    “Now why would you say such a thing?”
    “Well, you are ugly as sin,” Columbus says. “Surely you know this.”
    He appears to have no idea how to respond to this. Looks confused. “Look, this is not your concern. It’s about her. I want this fuckin’ Jew out of my sight. She’s a filthy whore. I will not drink with stinkin’ Jews. She and her kind bring disease, they bring the Black Death.”
    “You could leave,” Juan offers.
    “You defend this Jew? Why? She is no better than disease-infested cow shit.”
    “It’s not so much that I love Jews, but rather that I despise those who hate for no reason.”
    Tattoo man’s hand twitches slightly—a tell. Columbus can see Mr. Tattoo is about to draw his sword. He’s going to make that cross-body movement and draw his blade. This is when Columbus draws his own blade, an Italian-made dagesse. It’s a short blade and he does it quickly. The blade is at the tattooed man’s thick neck before his own sword is half drawn. Columbus is fascinated by the intense throbbing under the skin where the tip of his sword presses into tattoo man’s neck.
    “Stop,” Columbus says. “Enough. I just wanted a glass of wine, not a minor war.” All eyes are on Columbus.
    “Who are you?” the tattooed man says through clenched teeth. He moves his eyes toward Columbus—but moves nothing else.
    “I’m the guy holding a blade to your neck. I like Jews, and I’m rather fond of filthy whores. Tell your friends to get out.”
    “But—”
    “Now. Just do it.” He presses the point.
    Columbus doesn’t know much about swords, but any idiot could see this man’s weapon was way too long to be effective in close spaces. The tattooed man nods, delicately, toward his companions and they start to pick up their coats and bags—one guy pounds his drink down first.
    Salvos appears in the archway, slightly out of breath, a short thrusting sword in hand. The ring of a sword being drawn is a sound that cuts through any din. It’s not something he would ever miss. “Everything okay, my friend?”
    “Has this guy paid yet? And those?” Columbus motions with his chin in their general direction.
    “Yes,” Salvos says. He looks them over with a scowl.
    “They’re leaving. Those three first.” The crowd parts as the menmake their way to the door. Columbus looks over at the woman who seems a bit shell-shocked. “What’s your name?”
    “Selena,” she says. There is vulnerability in her eyes but they are also ferocious. Columbus thinks he can smell vanilla.
    He turns his attention to the tattooed man. “Good-bye.” The big man backs away until Salvos grabs his shoulder and roughly guides him to the door.
    Columbus looks at Juan and Selena. “Join me for a drink,” he says.
    Up close, Columbus finds Selena to be stunningly beautiful. “Do you always draw such a crowd when you come into bars?” he says.
    Selena blushes. “Not usually. Do you always show off like that, with your knowledge of Latin?” Her eyes are downcast. But then she looks up with an even, self-assured strength. “I did