“Afterwards” by Lem Billings

After the last post thee (original) Lem and thee (original and only) Lacey made love.

(Adult content below)

Both orgasmed with Lem orgasming more. But they had to have help from God. Because even after almost proving beyond a doubt that Lem was straight people have insisted he was gay.

“What evidence do you have?” asks God.

“There isn’t any.” says the CIA.And

“Surely there must be some!” says the LGBTQ+ community.

“No. There isn’t any.” says Joe Biden.

“We know he was straight or possibly bisexual. But definitely not gay!” says Tsar Putin. “Do you know why!? …Because we aren’t controlled by the US media spin machine. And we can look at all the facts more objectively that way.

No…it’s impossible.”

Later.

“How is it impossible?” asks the US.

And at that there’s a literal blinking light in a corner of the room in the air. Not an orb but like the air itself is flashing light. And Lacey’s daughter screams a high pitched scream out of nowhere.

“We were just trying to attack her. And Jay Z told us to stop. So we reversed course. And that’s what happened.” says an Illuminati psychic.

“Who were you attacking her for?” asks the NYT.

“The Kennedys. The DNC. Folks like that.” says the psychic. “Jack. Satan.”

“Ahh…why is it impossible?” asks a reader.

“Because we’ve analyzed it. And we have experts. Experts who are just as good as any you have. …Maybe better.” says Russia. “To be honest…our psychics are in agreement too. We have no issues with this.

It’s the US that struggles.” says Russia.

“What exactly is happening when you have sex with him, Lacey!?” asks a reader.

“Have sex with her.” says Lem.

“We know that. We’ve figured it out.” says the Tsar of Russia.

“What’s happening!? Can you please tell us?” an American says to the Tsar.

“Are you enjoying this Jack!?” scoffs Joe Kennedy Junior.

“Ha. It’s so simple.” says Russia.

Decks Dark by Radiohead plays.

“When she has sex with him he manifests in her body, like a normal living man. And at times he touches her. She’s never seen him physically. But she’s felt him and sensed him and talked with him. He’s moved her body.” says Russia.

“So they’re having sex. He’s just invisible.” says an American, laughing.

“Exactly!” says Russia.

“That’s…simple. You’re right.” says the American. “Thank you for clarifying.”

“Why don’t we just accept that?” asks another American.

“Ha.

Today Lem orgasmed. And she could feel it. She was married. One can feel such things.

And…how is that possible? Something is there. It’s not like a hallucination. Her body is psychically shifting. As if it’s being touched. That’s some proof he’s real. But there’s a wealth of evidence. We can’t absolutely know. …But it’s worth taking very seriously.” says Russia.

“Why are we so backward!??” says another American.

Russia thinks. “You weren’t as experienced in the supernatural as us. We’ve been aware of the supernatural for centuries. Or rather…we are…still…what you would have considered backward 20 to 30 years ago. …We are interested in science but…we didn’t…stop taking the supernatural seriously too.

So…we understand things you don’t. But we also never have had a problem with God. The way you all have. Okay? …The Tsar is a Christian. He really does believe in God. …And even during Communism the…Christian people in Russia never stopped believing. It was oppressive. But God…was still in Russia. In private.

America felt free. And it was.

But Lem died in 1981.” says Russia.

Ful Stop by Radiohead plays.

“What happened…to America…when he died?” asks a reader.

The song plays.

Lacey goes to New York City in her spirit. Walks across the street. Walks across the street again.

The song plays.

She goes up to his apartment. Sees his ghost there.

“You’re still here.” she says.

“No. You’re dead. But not in any way that science can see.” says Lem.

Their son walks into the living room. In both realms.

Earlier their daughter kept talking about hearing a sound. Like a beeping noise. And then seconds later Lacey’s phone registered a missed call, but Lacey never heard or felt any indication from the phone that anyone was calling.

“Today we tried to intervene when they had sex.” admits the They Illuminati. “And she warned us, or rather someone or something warned us that we were going too far.”

“You’re tearing holes in the fabric of reality.” says Elisa Lam. “For real.”

“I tell her the truth is a lie.” says Joe Kennedy Junior. “And she fights to figure it out, usually. Which takes forever. But…she can’t always do that.”

And at that Lacey sees her legal husband’s grandmother shopping in downtown Cincinnati in the late 1960’s.

Glass Eyes by Radiohead plays.

“This is impossible.” Lacey says to God.

And at that she floats back to Kenwood. In Minnesota. Sitting at night. By herself. On a park bench.

“You’re not alone.” says Lem next to her.

The Numbers by Radiohead plays.

She goes silent.

“Do you understand why?” he asks.

“NO!!” she says, kindly.

“What do you think of the actor who plays Lane?” asks Lem.

“He’s not you.” says Lacey.

“No. …I wouldn’t let you do that anyway. If I’m not a demon God is enabling me to be that…certain.” says Lem. “We’re not ruined, Lacey. Don’t worry.

I’m not just a bunch of rot.

You’ve been asking me what’s so amazing about you?” says Lem.

Lacey goes silent.

“Lane can express it better than I can.” says Lem. “I could too…but I’ve been too…attacked.

Let’s see.

Maybe I still can.“ says Lem.

Lem sits in the back of a car with Lacey.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief plays.

Yes. She’d been dating Joe. It’s 1953. He didn’t die. She was born.

Jack and Joe and Jackie are all inside a restaurant. And Lacey and Lem are in the backseat of a car.

It’s dark. It’s summer.

Car lights flash about them. Lacey’s angry. Because she’s sure Joe is cheating on her.

Lem and her are silent.

She’s not in love with him yet. Not officially.

She rests her head on the backseat. Closes her eyes.

The song draws to an end.

The Line by Mood Rings plays.

“Why are you so sad?” asks Lem.

“Joe doesn’t love me.” says Lacey.

He thinks.

“You know…I’ll always be there.” says Lem.

She opens her eyes. Looks into his.

Exhausted, she moves closer to him and rests against him.

“Mmm. You’re warm.” she says.

“Yeah. It’s a chilly night!” he says.

Summer Smoke by Cemeteries plays.

He wraps his arm around her.

He holds her.

“When they come out we’ll have to sit back in our seats. …Unless you wanna just leave.” says Lem.

She thinks. There’s nothing holding her back.

“Let’s go.” she says.

“Alright. Say…let’s go tell them you’re sick. And that we’re leaving.” says Lem. “Come on.”

They get out of the car.

Walk into the diner.

“We’re going. Lacey is queasy!” says Lem.

“Oh. Alright.” says JFK.

Lacey smiles awkwardly.

Jackie looks disturbed.

Joe seems angry.

“Listen…don’t get mad if I don’t answer the phone tomorrow.” says Joe lighting-up. “It’s late!”

“And you’ll be tired?” says Lacey.

“I’ll be exhausted! I have a lot of studying to do tonight.” says Joe. “I need to pass the Bar Exam.” He had been very involved in the DNC but was finally finishing law school. And he has a spot at a top law firm waiting for him. He plans to run for US President in due time.

“I’ll see you later then.” says Lacey.

“Yah! I’ll call you!!” says Joe.

“Goodnight.” she says.

He waves at her sweetly. Looks sad and concerned.

“Goodnight!” says Lem.

And at that Lem escorts Lacey out of the restaurant, with his arm around her.

“Let’s get a taxi. I’ll take you home or we can go somewhere and…rest.” says Lem.

Lacey thinks.

Corinne by Metronomy plays.

“Somewhere to rest.” says Lacey.

“Yeah.” says Lem. “Sounds good.”

He calls a taxi.

They wait. For fifteen minutes.

They get in.

“Where are we going?” asks Lacey.

“To a hotel.” says Lem.

“Oh!” says Lacey. “When do we eat?” she says.

“There’s a restaurant there!” he says.

At the counter.

“Mr. and Mrs. Lem Billings.” he says.

Later.

“What do you love about me?” she asks.

He tells her.