Chapter
2
"Up In the Air"
Nick awoke to a horn honking followed by a knock on the door. Nick threw on his robe and answered the knock. Gatsby stood on the porch looking at the ground. He abruptly looked at the door when it creaked open. "Ah, Good morning, Old Sport. I couldn't tell if you were awake from my house, so I came over. Think of it as the Gatsby Wake up Call." he chuckled lightly. He looked at Nick and gasped. "Forgive me, Old Sport. I should have allotted you more time to dress. I'll be waiting here for you. Please do take your time." Nick looked at the car Gatsby pointed to with his cane. As if the beast could fall into the category of "automobile". The car was gigantic. There in front of Nick's cottage sat a great big, yellow monster. It was wide enough to be two cars. And just as long, too! The horn was honked by a driver hidden from view. Nick's jaw dropped. Gatsby laughed lightly and beamed "Custom Job, Old Sport. Platinum pipes and all that. The flashy yellow just topped it all off." he looked proud of his "car". Nick then nodded and turned away into the house and up the stairs. As he dressed he did some thinking. Why was Gatsby inviting him up in the hydroplane? Why did he need to pick up Nick? His house was right next door; surely they could've walked to the dock at the end of Gatsby's garden. Or was Gatsby trying to impress Nick? No, that couldn't be it. Could it?
Nick returned to the front of the house and sure enough Gatsby was there leaning against his car, swing his cane lightly. "Ah good, you're ready." Gatsby chuckled. "The hydroplane is docked in New York, so I thought we'd go to lunch first." Nick nodded as Gatsby held the door for him. Nick slid into the leather clad seat and nearly melted. The seat was as soft as butter. Gatsby saw Nick's expression and smiled. "I'm glad you like my car, Old Sport." and Nick did like the car. He knew now Gatsby was trying to impress him. It was working
They drove from West Egg, through the Valley of Ashes, a dumping ground for the city's spent coal. From there they began the journey into the city. It was a fairly quick drive since Gatsby drove like a bat out of Hell. He was a good driver though, managing the quickest maneuvers. And he barely kept his eyes on the road. "So do you believe the rumors about me, Old Sport? I'll have you know that those are all false. I am going to tell you the truth, God's whole truth, so I can set my record straight. I don't want you to think I'm some nobody." he looked at Nick and then began weaving his story the same way he weaved through the streets. Gatsby began. "I was born from a family in the wealthy Mid-West; unfortunately they're all dead now. After they had gone I went to Oxford. It was tradition! Then after that I moved all around Europe living like a lonely prince in the capitols of Europe, Paris, and Moscow and so on. I collected precious gems, mainly rubies. I collected works of art, even painted a few all for myself. Then the War broke out and I knew my duties. After the war I came home and moved to Long Island." Gatsby went silent after that. Nick looked at him and saw that he seemed to be thinking about something, what he was thinking about was uncertain.
The car pulled up to this little restaurant. Gatsby got out and opened Nick's door. They walked in together as the valet whisked the car away from behind them. They sat down at the table and ordered their lunch. Gatsby looked at Nick and then he spoke. "Is something bothering you, Old Sport?" Nick replied. "I've been thinking Gatsby, are you trying to impress me?" Gatsby laughed and began to blush. He looked at Nick and said, "If this impresses you, Old Sport. Am I doing a good job?" he smiled that melting smile and Nicks eyes widened. Gatsby had the ability to charm a corpse. Nicks cheeks flushed and Gatsby saw that. "I guess my charm impresses you after all, Old Sport."
Lunch was served shortly after their little scene. While they ate Nick suddenly felt something brush his leg. This made him jump nearly out of his chair. His eyes widened. He looked under the table to find the culprit. There under the table brushing his leg again was Gatsby's foot! Nick looked up at Gatsby with wide eyes. "Something wrong, Old Sport?" Gatsby asked as he lit his second cigarette. He gave a wink to Nick as the smoke plumed in the air. Nick pretended to ignore it, but Gatsby just kept brushing his leg. This continued all through their lunch. Then, Gatsby suddenly stopped and announced. "The hydroplane should be ready by now." they got up and walked to the front door of the restaurant. Gatsby's car was already waiting. This time he had a chauffer. Gatsby held the rear door for Nick. Again Nick melted into the seat. Gatsby got in next to him and chuckled out loud. The car pulled away from the restaurant and into the busy street. They drove for a short while until they arrived at the dock.
There bobbing in the waves, sat a gleaming piece of beauty. The hydroplane was more magnificent than the car. Its gigantic silver panels gleamed in the mid afternoon sun. "Shall we, Old Sport?" Gatsby asked. Nick was ready. He climbed into the plane and sat down in one of the plush chairs. Gatsby took his place in the chair opposite and swiveled it to face Nick. "Are you ready to fly Old Sport?" The plane roared to life and slowly ascended into the afternoon sky. It was amazing. Nick had been on a plane only once before, but that was a short trip over a field in Indiana. This was much better than that rickety crop duster. Gatsby sat in his chair looking at Nick's ecstatic expression. Then suddenly Gatsby stood up and sat closer to Nick as close as the plane would allow. He opened his mouth to speak. "I've been thinking Old Sport. You must be wondering why I've done a few things over the past hours. I know you caught my wink, and my leg surely disturbed you." Gatsby spoke with conviction and wanted an honest answer from Nick. Nick swallowed hard ad then replied. "I have been doing a great deal of thinking about this since last night Gatsby; I must say I'm a bit confused. I swore you winked at me at the party, I now see I was not mistaken, I was aware of your leg at lunch, but I dismissed it as a spasm on your part. I only became flushed due to my reaction. Tell me Gatsby, what is this all about?" Nick stared into Gatsby's eyes and waited. Gatsby shifted and the spoke. "I must let you know that this is all quite new to me old sport. I've come to realize that my parties' intentions have failed. You see, there is this woman, Daisy Buchanan. I had fallen in love with her some years ago. But, now is too late. She has married. She lives right across the sound from my house over on East Egg.
Every night I've glared at the green light at the end of her dock hoping that one day shed walk into one of my parties, and ultimately into my arms again. I see now that this will not work now. Then when you fell at the party I saw something in you that were very unexplainable. I don't know how to explain these feelings. But they are extremely strong, Old Sport. They've kept me awake all night." Gatsby paused to let Nick process. He continued. "I think I've fallen in love with you Nick." Nicks mouth opened wide. Had Gatsby really said this or was he dreaming. He must have been dreaming. Then when he had decided it was all a dream, Gatsby did something that would snap him back to reality. Gatsby grabbed Nicks face in his hands gently. He softly placed his lips onto Nicks. Nick began to melt. Gatsby closed his eyes and kissed Nick ever so gently. Gatsby assumed by now nick would protest but, nothing happened. They kissed and kissed until Gatsby pulled away. He sat back down and smoothed his hair behind his right ear. They sat in silence as the plane flew back to the dock.
When the plane landed Gatsby held the door for Nick. They got back in the car and headed back for West Egg. On the drive back Gatsby turned to look at Nick. He then sighed and asked. "I was wondering if you'd join me for dinner this evening." Nick nodded. He didn't feel like talking at the moment. He had too many things going on in his mind to speak. They approached the drive to Nick's house. He got out and walked to the house. He heard Gatsby's car screech to a halt and a door slam. Gatsby could be heard in the distance. "I'm so stupid! Why would I do such a thing to Nick? He must hate me!" Gatsby cried. Nick felt bad now. He ran inside his house and got dressed. After he was compose he walked down his drive, then back up Gatsby's just like he had done the night of the party. He knocked on the door and waited.