Excerpt
Excerpt from
An Intimate LifeI slowly lifted off the blanket that covered him. His frail body was in a red, long-sleeve, button down shirt and a pair of black sweatpants. Slow and gentle, slow and gentle, I said to myself, like a mantra. Lets start with your shirt.” I undid the first button and then worked my way down the column of buttons. When I was finished I undid the button at the wrist of his left sleeve. Then I folded his shirt over his arm as much as I could. The collar rested off his shoulder against Marks salt-colored skin. I briskly rubbed my hands together to warm them up and then slid one under the shirt. I slowly brought Marks delicate arm toward me while inching the sleeve off of his shoulder. As I continued to peel it away I brought his arm gradually back down toward the bed. The sleeve was almost completely off when Mark screamedloud. Oh my God! Had I hurt him? Whats going on?” I said in as calm a voice as I could muster. My nail, you caught my nail in the shirt,” he said. Okay, okay
Let me see.” I freed his fingers from the shirt that was now clustered around his hand. Mark, I need to know when something doesnt feel good, but yelling isnt sexy. I know we need to be very careful with your body, so dont ever not tell me if youre feeling uncomfortable or worried about getting hurt, but try to do it in a calmer voice. Remember, part of what were doing here is modeling how youll communicate with a partner and that could really scare someone and kill the mood.” Sure scared me, I thought. I realized that I had goose bumps on my skin that I hoped that Mark didnt notice. Do you need some oxygen before we go on?” To my surprise he didnt. After I had freed his left side from his shirt I went to work on the right.