beenforcedtowearformonthsfinallydisappeared.LikeKari,shegainedapair ofdarlingapplecheeks,onlyherswerecoveredinfreckles.
Valgotunsteadilytoherfeet.Shemanagedtotoddleforwardafewsteps beforefallingdown.“Wenotbabies!”sheshouted.
“No,ofcoursenot.You’rebiggirls.Inacouplemonthsyou’llbetwo yearsold,”hesaid,condescensiondrippinginhisvoice.
“Nofair!”Valroared.ShecoulddonothingasTaitousledherhairandthen steppedbacktothedoor.
“Don’tworry,girls,someonewillbealongtochangeyourdiapers.Inthe meantime,thinkaboutwhatyou’vedone.Ifyou’regoodandsayyou’resorry,I mightletyougobacktoNannyJene’sclass.Oryoucanstaylikethis.Your choice.”
Withthatthedoorslammedshutandalockclicked.Theyweretrapped!
Chapter6
DespitewhatTaihadsaid,atleasttwodayswentbywithoutanyone comingtochangetheirdiapersorgivethemfood.Thoughshehadn’teaten anythinginthosetwodays,Kari’sbodystillkeptproducingpooh-poohandpee-peeonafrequentbasis.Fromthesmellofit,Val’sdiaperwasjustasdirty.
“Thisyoufawt,”Karigrumbled.“Youmakeusbabies.”
“Nuh-uh.Taidid.”
“Youstartit.”
“Nuh-uh.”
“Didtoo!”
ValtoddledoverthenandpunchedKariashardasshecouldinthearm.It couldn’tbethathard,butbetweenthepunch,herrumblingtummy,andher stinkydiaper,shebegantocry.Itstartedsilentlybutsoonbecamesobbingthat turnedintoawail.Inthemirrorshecouldseeherfaceturningmagenta,asVal’s hadbeenwhenKariintervened.
ThedoorfinallyopenedandNannyJenehurriedinside.ShescoopedKari upfromthefloor.“There,there,sweetheart.It’sallright.Don’tcry.”
Karicontinuedtosob,herheadpressedagainstNannyJene’sshoulder,as thenannycarriedheroutoftheroomanddownthehalltoanurserywithwalls thesamecolorasherdressandcolorfulbearsholdingballoonstackedup everywhere.ThereNannyJenesetKarionachangingtableandstrippedaway herhorriddiaper.“Shushnow,sweetheart.You’llbeallright.”
Karididn’ttrytostruggleasNannyJenewipedherdownandthenapplied somediaperrashlotionandtalcumpowder.Withpracticedeaseshefoldeda clothdiaperoverKari’sbottomandpinneditwithtwoducky-shapedsafety pins.“There,allbetternow?”
“Yes,”Karimumbled.
NannyJenetookherovertoarockingchair,whereshecradledKariinher armswhilepressingabottletoKari’slips.Kariwantedtoprotestshewastoo oldforabaa-baa,butatthispointshewouldtakewhatshecouldget.She suckedgreedilyfromtherubbernipple,therumblinginhertummybeginningto calm.Halfwaythroughthebottle,NannyJeneturnedheroverandpattedher backuntilKariburped.
“Goodgirl.You’reaverygoodgirl,aren’tyou?”
“Yes.”
“I’msureyou’reverysorryaboutbitingme,aren’tyou?”
Kariconsideredthisforamoment.Valwasherfriend.Thenshethought
ofValyellingatherandpunchingherinthearm.No,Valwasn’therfriend anymore.Valwasameanoldpoopyhead.“Isowwy.”
“Justnever,everdoanythinglikethatagain.Understand?”
“Yes.”
Asareward,NannyJenegaveKaritherestofthebaa-baa.Thensheset Karidowninawoodencribtorest.Shepressedastuffedduckylikeonthe safetypinsintoKari’stinyhands.Clutchingtheduckywithonehand,Kari insertedherthumbfromtheotherintohermouthandthenfellasleep.
***
Whenshewokeup,shehopeditwouldallhavebeenanightmareandthat shewouldwakeupasabiggirl,oratleastatoddleragain.Thenshesawthe woodenbars.BeyondthosesatTaiLecau.Hegrinnedather.“Haveanice nappy-poo?”
Kari’sanswerwasmuffledbythethumbstillinhermouth.Shepulledit outsoshecouldsay,“Yes.”
“Iknowyouneverwantedtobenaughty.ItwasallVal’sfault.She’sa verynastylittlegirl,isn’tshe?”
“Yes.Sheameanie.Andapoopyhead.”
“That’sright.Sheis.So,you’regoingtobeagoodgirlfromnowon?”
“Yes.Ipwomise.”
“That’sverygood.”TaireachedintothecribtopullKariout.Hesether downonthefloorandthenlookeddownather.“Howwouldyouliketobea biggirlagain?Idon’tmeanjustatoddlerorevenalittlegirl,butagrown-up.
Wouldyoulikethat?”
Hetousledhercurlyredhair.“Ithoughtyoumight.Fromnowonyou’re goingtoworkwithme.Wouldyoulikethat?”
“IsthatpoopyheadVawgoingtobetheretoo?”
“No,no.Youdon’thavetoworryaboutheranymore.”
“Good.”
“Sowehaveadeal?”
“Yes.”
“Good.Allyouhavetodonowiskissmyring.Rightonthisprettyblack stonehere.”
Hekneltdownsotheringwaslevelwithherface.Karistaredattheblack stone,rememberingwhatithaddonetoherbefore.Woulditmakehereven younger,intoanewborn?Perhapsshewoulddisappearentirely.Butno,Taihad promisedhershewouldbeagrown-upagain.Thatseemedworththerisk;it wascertainlybetterthansittinginthisnurseryhavingNannyJenechangeher
stinkydiapers.
Karibentforward,herlipstouchingthestone.Assoonasshedid,thestone winkedather.ThenKaribegantogrow.
Theseamsofherdressburstopenassheturnedbackintoatoddler.Still shekeptgrowing,untilshewasalittlegirlagain.Unlikethelasttime,she wasn’tarotundlittlegirl,thefatdisappearingasherbodycontinuedtostretch.
Soonenoughshewasateenageragain.
Thatwaswhenotherpartsbegangrowingaswell.Herflatchestfirst expandedintotinynubs.Thenubscontinuedtogetbigger,inflatinglikeapair ofballoons,untiltheywerebiggerthanhertummyhadbeenwhenshewas Molegirl.
Thesenewbreastsmadeithardtoseetherestofherbodyatfirst.Turning alittle,shesawatinywaistandthenwide,womanlyhipsthatledtolong, slenderlegs.Herarmswerejustasslender,herfingersgracefulnowinsteadof pudgy.
Herredhairstraightenedandthengrewlonger,tothemiddleofherback.
Twothickwavesframedherface,almostcomingtogetheraroundher breastbone.Shebrushedthesewavesasidetocoverherenormousbreasts,not thattherewasanyneedto.Secondslaterherchestwascladinabrightred sweaterthatfitsnuglyoverherbreasts,whileexposingmostofhercleavage.A grayskirtcoveredherprivates,butlittleelse.Lastly,shegrewafewmore centimetersashigh-heeledshoeselevatedher.
Sheturnedtoamirrorintheroomandinsteadofageekyyoungwoman withthickglasses,shesawaflawlessbeauty.Shehadneverreallyconsidered herselfprettybefore.Nowshewasnotjustpretty,butgorgeous.Abodylike thiscouldstoptraffic.
HercheeksflushedalittleasshethoughtofhowjealousValwouldbeto seeherlikethis.Val,whowasstillatinybabyinastinkydiaper.Shecouldstay thatwayforallKaricared.ShehadlovedVal,donewhateverValhadsaid,and allithaddonewasendupwithKariinasmellydiaper,suckingonherthumb.
Fromnowon,Kariwouldstartanewlife,afreshstart.Withaflashof light,thenurserydisappearedaroundher.
Part3
Chapter7
Thealarmclockwentoffatseveno’clock.Karithrewoffthepink comforterandthenboltedoutofbed.Shehadneverbeenmoreexcitedabout gettingupinthemorningthanthismorning.
Herfirstdayofhernewjob.Shedidn’tknowwhatexactlyTaiCorpdid, butshedidknowthatbeinganExecutiveSecretarytherewasabigdeal.A biggerdealsinceshewasonlyeighteenyearsoldandtheexecutivewas
the CEO.Thatwasalotofresponsibilityforagirlherage.Shehopedshecould handleit.
Shetookaquickshowerandthenspentalotoftimeonherhairand makeup.Shewantedeverythingtolookrighttoday.Afterall,youonlygotone chancetomakeafirstimpression,right?Sheappliedacoatofredlipstickto matchherhairandsweater,withjustalittlemascaraandrouge,justenoughto makeherlookprettybutprofessional.Sheteasedherthickhairtoframeher face,thetwowingsmeetingatthependantofhersilvernecklace.Heryellow-greeneyessparkledasshesawhowbeautifulshelooked.Mr.Lecauwould definitelylikeher.
Ifshehadanydoubtabouthowgoodshelookedinhertightredsweater andshortgrayskirt,thereactionofpeopleonthestreetwashedthoseaway.The wolfwhistlesasshewalkedbypromptedhertoblush,whileinsideshebarely heldbackagrin.Menliterallypartedbeforeheronthetrainsothatshecould haveaseat.“Thankyou,”shesaid,keepinghervoiceshyandmysterious.
TaiCorpwasheadquarteredinthetallestbuildinginthecity,tenstories higherthananythingelseinOpton.Kari’sstomachbegantoflutter,her confidencefromthemorningfadingasshepushedherwaythroughthe revolvingdoor,intoalobbywithasmuchpolishedwoodandfancyartworkas anexpensivehotel.
Thesecurityguardlookedupatherandsmiled.“I’mMissChomar.Mr.
Lecauisexpectingme,”shesaid.
Hecheckedhislistandthennodded.“Taketheelevatoruptothe penthouse,”hesaid.
“Thankyou.”
Asonthetrain,mengotoutofthewaysoshecouldgetontotheelevator.
Theoperatoraskedherverysweetlywhichfloorshewanted.“Allthewaytothe top,”shesaidwithasmilethatinturnmadethemenaroundhersmile.
ItturnedoutthepenthousewasnottheactualfloorforTaiCorp’smain offices,butonlyforMr.Lecau’soffice.Therewasonlyashorthallwaythatled intoalargeroomwithfourdesks.Threeofthosedeskswereoccupiedbyother youngwomen.Theylookedupather,onlyoneofthemsmilingather.
Thefriendlygirlrosefromherstationandextendedahand.“Hi!I’m Sheri!YoumustbeKari.”
“That’sme.”
Sheritossedherlongbrownhairoveroneshoulderassheturnedtoanother youngwomanwithblackhairandasourexpression.“That’smybigsisterTeri.
She’sonlyolderthanmebytwominutes.”
“Wow,you’retwins?”
“Lookslikesomeone’samathgenius.NowonderhemadeyouExecutive Secretary,”Terigrumbled.
“Don’tmindher,she’sjustjealous.”
“Shutup,twerp.”
SheriignoredthisinsultandthenledKariovertoanotherdesk,wherea gorgeousblondgirlexaminedherpinkfingernails.“ThisisJeri,”Sherisaid.
Jerimadenoattempttoshakehands.Shejustlookedupfromhernailsfor amoment,asmuggrincomingtoherface.“Where’dyougetthatsweater?A thriftstore?”
Kari’scheeksturnedredatthis.“No.Mymamagaveittome.”
“Ooh,yourmama.What’sthematter?Can’tbuyyourownclothes?”Jeri staredather,butKaricouldn’tthinkofanythingtosay.Shehadneverexpected aresponselikethis.“Well,saysomething,dummy.Oryouneedyourmamato thinkofitforyou?”
AfrostedglassdooropenedandMr.Lecaucameout.“Areyougirls behavingyourselves?”heasked.
“Yes,sir,”theotherthreesaidwhileKarionlymumbledthewords.
Mr.Lecaucameforward,foregoingahandshakeinlieuofahug.“Ah,you madeit.ComeintomyofficenowthatSheri’sgivenyouthegrandtour.”
Hisofficelookedevenmoreexpensivethanthelobby.Hemotionedherto agreenleatherchairwhilehetookamuchlargerchairbehindhisdesk.“Well, I’veheardgoodthingsaboutyou,MissChomar.I’msureyou’llfitinperfectly aroundhere.”
“Thankyou,sir,”Karisaid,thoughshedoubtedthisfromthereception she’dreceivedalready.
Mr.Lecauwavedhishandather.“Don’tworryaboutJeriandTeri.
They’rejealous,especiallyJeri.Sheusedtobethequeenbeeoftheofficeand nowshe’safraidoflosingherposition.”
“Idon’twanttosteponanyone’stoes,sir.”
“I’msureaprettylittlethinglikeyouwouldn’tdreamofthat.”
“Thankyou,”Karisaidandblushed.
“Well,Isupposeweoughttogettoworknow.”
“Yes,sir.”
Theystaredateachotheruntilheclearedhisthroat.“Gotoyourdeskand fetchapadandpaper.Ihavealetterforyoutotakedown.ThenI’llneedyouto typeitup.YoucangivethefinishedproducttoTeritomakecopies.”
“Yes,sir.Sorry,sir.”Kariscurriedintotheouteroffice,overtoherdesk.
ShewasprettysuresheheardMr.Lecauwhistleunderhisbreathasshewent.
“Hefireyoualready,Dum-Dum?”Jeriasked.
“No.Ihavetotakealetter.”
“Youmightaswellgetstartedonyoursuicidenotetoowhileyou’reatit.”
KariglaredatJeriforamomentbutthenturnedawaywithoutsaying anything.Itwouldn’tdoonherfirstdaytogetintoafight.ThatwaswhatJeri wantedsoKariwouldgetfired.Instead,shesnatchedapadofpaperandapen fromoffthetopofherdeskandthenstruttedbackintoMr.Lecau’soffice.
Onceshe’dsettledontothechair,heleanedbackinhisseatandbeganto recitetheletter.Karitriedtokeepup,buthewasusingsomanybigwordsthat shefounditimpossible.Hemusthavesensedherdistressasheturnedtoher.
“Somethingwrong?”
“Couldyougojustalittleslower,please,sir?”Shegiggledlikeanidiot.“I thinkI’malittlenervous.”
“Verywell.”Hespokeslower,draggingouteachsyllableasifKariwerea smallchild.Sheblushedbutdidn’tsayanything.AssoonasMr.Lecau finished,Kariscurriedoutoftheroomtotypeuptheletter.
Typingdidn’tgoanybetterthanwriting.Shehadtolookaroundforeach keyonthetypewriter.Justtypingthefirstsentencetookhalfanhour.Shecould feeltheotherswatchingher,JeriandTerigrinningsmugly.Shewasgoingtofail andgetfiredonherfirstday.
ShericamebehindherdeskandputanarmaroundKari’sshoulder.“Don’t worrysomuchaboutit.You’redoingfine.”
TheintercomonKari’sdeskbuzzed,startlingher.Shepunchedthebutton onit.“Yes,Mr.Lecau?”
“Youhavethatletteryet?”
“Notyet.”
“Hurryup.I’vegotameetingatthreeo’clock.AndtellSheritofetchme somecoffee.”
“Yes,sir.”
SheripattedKariontheback.“It’llbefine.Justdoyourbest.”
Karifinishedtheletterattwofifty-nine.SheracedintoMr.Lecau’soffice.
Helookeditoverandthennodded.“Thatwillhavetodo,”hesaid.Hetookout apentosignthepaper.“TellTeriIneedfiftycopiesbytomorrowmorning.”
“Yes,sir.”
Shewentbacktotheouteroffice,stoppingatTeri’sdesk.Sheheldoutthe letter.“Mr.Lecauwantsfiftycopiesbytomorrowmorning.”
“So?Gomakethem.”
“Hesaidforyoutodoit.”
“I’mbusy.Getlost.”
Kari’slowerliptrembled,asdidthepaperinherhand.Shedidn’t understandwhyeveryonewasbeingsonastytoheronherfirstday.Thiswasn’t thedreamjobshe’dhadinmindthismorningwhenshecamein.
“Youdeaforsomething?Getlost!”
Kari’seyesnarrowed.SheslammedthepaperdownonTeri’sdesk.“No!
Hesaidyoudoitandthatmeansyoudoit.YoumakethosecopiesorI’lltell Mr.Lecau.”
“Ooh,you’lltellonme.Whatareyou,seven?”
“No.I’mtheExecutiveSecretaryandthatmeansI’m
inchargehere.You gotit?”
Terimetherglareforamoment,butfinallynodded.“Yeah,Igotit.”She snatchedthepaperoffherdeskandthenstoodup.“Youjustbetterwatch yourself,bitch,”shehissedintoKari’searbeforegoingtotheelevator.
KariwatchedhergoandthenturnedtoJeri,whowasfilinghernails.“That goesforyoutoo!I’minchargeandthatmeansyouhavetorespectme.”
Jerionlysnorted.“I’lldowhatyousay,butI’llneverrespectyou, hayseed.”
“StopcallingmenameslikethatorI’llmakesurehefiresyou.”
“Yougoaheadandtryit,bumpkin.”
ThedoortoMr.Lecau’sofficeopenedagain.Hehadonhisovercoatand hat,meaninghewasgoingfortheday.“Thereaproblemouthere,ladies?”
“No,sir.JeriandIwerejustdiscussingprotocol.”
“Good.I’dhatetohavetostartlookingforanothersecretarysosoon.
Goodnight,ladies.”Onhiswayout,Mr.LecaupinchedKari’srear.She flinchedalittlebutdidn’tsayanything.Jerigaveheranothersmuglookand thenturnedbacktohernails.
Withasigh,Karisatdownatherdesktogetbacktowork.Atleastshehad survivedherfirstday.Itwouldhavetogetbetterfromhere.
***
Karisteppedoffoftheelevatorandintotheoffice.OnlySherigreetedher, asusual.Karididn’tletthatbotherher.Shehadputupwithjealousgirlsbefore andshecoulddoitnow.ShesettledbehindherdesktotypeupaletterMr.
Lecauhaddictated.
Hertypinghadimprovedoverthelastmonth.Shestillwasn’tveryfast,but itonlytookhertwentyminutestodoaone-pageletternow.Shesupposedina fewmoremonthsshewouldbeasproficientascouldbe.
Onceshefinished,shewenttoMr.Lecau’sdoor.Shetappedontheglass untilhecalledforhertoenter.“Shutthedoor,”hetoldheraftershestepped through.Shesettheletterdownonhisdesk,notthatheseemedtonotice.He onlystaredatherwhilehepuffedawayonacigar.“Haveaseat,Kari.”