Every Saturday, we’ll be posting a new illustration by David Lester. The Mecca Normal guitarist is visually documenting people, places and events from his band’s 29-year run, with text by vocalist Jean Smith.
An excerpt from Jean Smith’s yet-to-be-published novel Obliterating History—A Guitar-Making Mystery, Domination & Submission In A Small Town Garage
His wife probably took the photo, thinks Veronica, relieved to return to the comfortable cynicism she maintains about online dating—deception at every turn. Yet, there is something about his boyish squint, something appealing about the twinkle in his eye. She clicks on her own profile to see what Tall, Dark and Handsome has referred to as white mountain peaks under a rather too tightly buttoned-up blouse. She hadn’t given her photo that much thought, but she certainly hadn’t intended for it to be misconstrued as an indication of a submissive nature. Veronica isn’t oblivious to fetishisms surrounding women’s undergarments from the 1950s—fishnet stockings, garter belts, negligees with feathery edges—but she’s surprised at being included as a representative from a cultural phenomenon she has absolutely nothing to do with. Being thought of this way, by random strangers, makes her feel slightly queasy. Tightening her robe around her waist, she sends Tall, Dark and Handsome a quick reply. “I’m not a sub and frankly, you’re a few years too young for me. Good luck in your search.”
The phone rings. Veronica wonders who might be calling her at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning. She answers it before voice mail kicks in and winces when she hears her mother’s voice.
“Ronnie dear, I’m sorry to bother you, sweetheart, but something’s happened. I’ve had a fall and the social worker says I’ll need to get some help. You’re going to have to come home dear.”
“What About The Boy?” from The Family Swan (Kill Rock Stars, 2002) (download):
