The past fortnight I've slept over at Julie's. Stressed Julie, closely an ex-wife, the struggling mother of two fashion accessories in the shape of baby boys. No, Julie and I are not sharing a bed.
Each morning before leaving to work, I make her a toast with jam and turn on the water boiler. In the evening, the toast slumps next to fried egg crumbs, and the hot water should last until the 4th Lebanon War.
Julie isn't depressed, merely powerless against the shallow trend of her life, or so she claims. According to her, the children are obstructing her near-future prospects, her husband Mike is cheating on her, and it is a certain pity she cannot act as mischievously as a little slut like me. I will only concede to the last argument.
'You should seriously consider Nir from the patisserie,' I try taunting her.
'You!' she exclaims. 'Potentially fucking the entire Aroma Café chain!' What's wrong with that? 'You must feel so sexually deprived because of me,' she shows sympathy, expecting me to retort with a no, absolutely not, she happens to be my top priority.
'No! Absolutely not!' I shout over the food processor's din, cranking out our batch of drinks from within the hell of the pre-divorce-process fridge. 'Don't worry about me,' pouring her something thick, green and pungent, I wince. 'I manage to insert a few quickies into my schedule.'
Julie blinks, either because I've missed the crucial sentence, or due to the toxic fumes.
'Not to mention that you happen to be my very top priority, clear?' I verify, and we chug what used to be tequila and something else, and possibly, kiwi. And gag.
'Remind me to remind you not to stuff mint leaves into every mixture.'
The root of Julie's problem, as may apply to other married people - if I am allowed the arrogance – is the fact that they fail to enjoy themselves.
'What do you mean, enjoy? If Mike would –'she launches a rant, so I shut my ears and bury my nose in a Graham Greene anthology. Julie chucks a slipper at me.
'Regardless of Mike,' I try again. 'Enjoy yourself, from within yourself, for yourself. Why do you think I'm still unattached? I'm too much of a hedonist; a singular Mike wouldn't satisfy me. One of us should be able to attain the golden rule of pleasure. Either I learn to contend with less, or you will learn to love your possibilities.'
Julie stares at me. I realize what rubbish I've spewed, and smirk. 'Wait here. Be right back.'
As I drive through the twilit Jerusalem neighborhoods, flowing with geriatric tourists and ice cream in paper cups, a favourite fuckbuddy calls. We arrange to meet later.
Back at her house, Julie is sprawled drunk in her bathtub. I place my casket on the bathroom mat. 'Nearly run over three nuns. How ironic.'
Right, treasure scan. 'This is Uzi, handmade by a famous DJ,' I introduce. 'It's slightly unpredictable, as inspired by the Israeli submachine gun, rather spasmodic and explosive, but that's where its charm lays.'
Julie gapes at the shining instrument. 'That is revolting. I don't like sex toys.'
I couldn't care less. 'This is the tiny bunny, preferably for couples' use, and that is a lovely butt-ring. Whatever is still in original packaging hasn't been used yet, and you're welcome to confiscate a pussymate for yourself.' Those aware of my collection, and the fact that I share it like a Carnegie, tend to shower me with sex devices. Personally, these appliances are seldom utilized in use, yet seeing as I've reached amateur collector level, I wouldn't like to halt the momentum.
'Whichever item has been used already, it indicates its efficiency. You will find antiseptic and wipes here as well, and you have got soap and water. Enjoy. I'll be back tomorrow.'
Julie selects a blue dildo with a pear-shaped base. Feeling merciful, I spare her the fact that it is arse-intended.
On my way out I pick up the Graham Greene book. After fucking with Gabi, I will recite a snippet from an inspiring story aptly named 'May We Borrow Your Husband':
"At the end of what is called 'the sexual life' the only love which has lasted is the love that has accepted everything, every disappointment, every failure, and every betrayal, which has accepted even the sad fact that in the end there is no desire so deep as the simple desire for companionship."