MATTHEWLIBURDI
THE OFFICAL WEB SITE
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LIBURDI
THE OFFICAL WEB SITE
Contact Matthew Liburdi
Reflection
In a sober sense, it looked
confused. Distorted, twisted, bending as light shards danced within the periphery of the metallic frame surrounding the window. I looked again. Change, as if magically pronounced in words: like a story written in chalk on the wall. My world flashed by.
The fluid burned, deeply penetrating the depths of my soul, asking for more.
Looking back, within, suddenly there were two. They bonded together, moving, dancing within the sphere of the image, breaking the plain of its boundary as if reaching out. Looking deeper a shadow of hope emerged. She consumed my thoughts. Her warmth, her touch, her breath. I missed her, wanted her, and desired her, until a movement caused the reflection to fade.
My eyes searched.
This time, hot fingers of fire, reaching deep inside, eager to sluice my soul, bidding to continue, to seek, to touch, to endure–penetrating further without fear or a sense of purpose, burned.
Looking back, there was only one.
My thoughts penetrated the reflection. I reached, wanting to tear my heart out, my soul, the very fiber within, yet only a cold barrier. Above, a ceiling fan rotated. The light reflecting off the window danced across the rotating blades until mesmerized, my thoughts faded.
The fluid tasted hot as it channeled down through the plains of my body. I tried to reach my hand into the bite of the fan blade. I swallowed. Another blast of heat–this time, like a waterfall flowing without stopping. Dizziness consumed my world, and the light faded.
I woke.
The morning sun shining through the crack in the curtains lit up the small Hotel room sufficiently. “Tina,” I shouted. The room was empty. I walked over to the window and looked outside. I could see my Jeep. It had mud covering the sides, windows and tires. I stepped outside. The air had a cool tinge as I made my way down the sidewalk towards the restaurant. I saw Tina. She had two plates of food spread across the table, a pitcher of coffee and two glasses of orange juice. Her eyes met mine with a smile. She had her fingers covering her mouth. I sat. The silver pitcher of coffee had her reflection bouncing towards me. My eyes encouraged the vision, tearing it in half, pushing it down into the table with all my will. It burned at my soul yet remained, staring back with a sense of duty, as if it had a life of its own.
Again, a deep pain traveled throughout my body as icy cold fingers overwhelmed my thoughts. I looked towards the window. I saw a vivid reflection of me strapped into a metallic chair. Wires and tubes were inserted into both of my arms. My head had a restraining harness. My eyes were wide open. Deep within the glass, I saw people. Tina. Her eyes were staring into mine. She had her hand covering her mouth.
I looked deeper into my reflection only to realize, two men were standing next to me in uniforms. They were removing the straps and tubes from my arms. I watched myself stand and walk towards the window. My reflection vivid within showed me still strapped to the chair. My eyes were wide open.
Placing my hands on the window, I searched for Tina. She was gone. The people were gone as the energy from my body: my reflection, seamless as time–vanished.
Copyright © 2011 by Matthew Liburdi
All rights reserved.
A short story by Matthew Liburdi
They made it safely to the southern most tip of North America. To a town called Cabo San Lucas. The boys were going fishing!
A flood of heat greeted Gary, Roger, Billy and Matthew as they stepped down onto the tarmac from the automated staircase extending out from the Gulf Stream private jet.
“Welcome back to Cabo, Mr. Gary and the three Americano hillbillies from Newport Beach California.” Said Maria, the cute customs agent inside the private terminal.
“Is everything in order,” asked Gary with a grin.
“Yes, Mr. Gary!” Maria said. “Everything...please collect your passports step up to the gate and press the button.”
“Do you feel lucky,” said Matthew to Gary.
“I was born lucky,” replied Gary as he pressed the button and the green light on the device lit up.
“Who wants a cold one,” Gary asked while walking over to the bar.
“Line em’ up,” said Roger as he pressed the button and smiled as the green light activated.
“I’ll take a Corona light,” said Matthew as he pressed the button and the light flashed green.
“Billy, do you feel lucky,” yelled Gary from across the room.
“You’re a darn-tootin’, hillbilly. I’ve been comin’ down to Cabo for twenty-years and never pulled a red light!”
A quiet calm ensued as all eyes watched Billy press the button and the red light flashed.
“Mr. Billy, please follow me,” said the customs agent.
“Looks like you got skull teased Billy,” said Roger. “If you keep your legs together and don’t bend over you’ll be ok!”
Billy flipped Roger the bird as he disappeared into a room.
Ten minutes later, Billy walked briskly out while zipping his shorts.
“Billy,” said Gary. “You ok. You look flushed.”
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” he said. “I wanna’ go fishing.”
“Señor, where to,” the taxi drive asked.
“Cabo Marina. Dock K!” Matthew said.
An absolute quiet consumed the interior of the SUV.
Billy spoke first. “I can’t believe this fuckin’ happened to me!”
“What do you mean, Billy boy?” asked Matthew.
“What Billy, you really did get a cavity search?” said Gary.
“Screw you, you bunch of hillbillies!” voiced Billy. “I know you set me up and pay back will be a bitch!”
Unknown to Billy, Gary arranged for an exotic dancer named Danger that specialized in playing the flute to be here today! The best part, Danger’s brother was the customs agent. The plan, make sure Billy was the last one through. Then, sit back and watch.
“Why Billy,” said Gary. “What do you mean? Did something special happen in the back room? Please tell all?” as laughter broke out.
“You guys are dead,” said Billy as he looked out the window in thought.
Following the customs agent into the back room, immediately Billy knew something was weird as he spied a very attractive woman sitting on the edge of the desk wearing a customs uniform and had the front of her blouse unbuttoned half way exposing some mighty healthy timber.
“My name is Danger,” she said while the agent walked out of the room and shut the door.
“What’s this all about,” Billy asked.
“You pressed the button and the light turned red. That’s what this is about!” said Danger.
Billy’s eyes widened as Danger stood. She was wearing black go-go boots that went all the way up to her knees as she walked seductively over to Billy and put her ear to his.
“You ready…Hillbilly,” she whispered. “I heard you never pulled a red light in Mexico before!”
“But…but…but!” said Billy as she dropped to her knees. Five minutes later, Billy was saying, “yes…yes…yes!”
Danger stood and instead of spitting, swallowed!
“You’re free to go Gringo,” she said while licking her lips. “But remember. Next time when passing through customs, don’t be so cocky!” as she pulled down her pants and revealed her true secret.
Danger was a man!
Written by Matthew Liburdi
Copyright © 2011 by Matthew Liburdi
All rights reserved.
