Whentheygothome,theyfoundJerialreadyinherbed,soundasleep.The othersfollowedsuit.Karistaredupattheceilingforawhile,wonderingwhat ValwouldthinkifshesawKarilikethis.Wouldshelaugh?Orwouldshestart patronizingKariasifshewereachildagain?Karirolledonhersidetofacethe wallandsqueezedhereyesshut.
***
Thenextmorningeverythingseemedfine,exceptJeriwasquieterthan usual.Shewouldusuallyscreamatwhoeverwasinthebathroomtohurryso shecouldtakeherbath,buttodaysheonlywaitedpatientlyonthecouch.
Duringthebusridetowork,Karitriedtobringupthesubjectoflastnight,but Jeriwaveditaway.“It’sfine.I’msorryIwassuchaningrate.”
Notlongaftertheygottowork,JeriwentintoTai’sofficewithaletter.
Kari,busytranscribinganotherletter,didn’tpaymuchattentionatfirst.But afteranhourwentby,shepushedherselfoffherchairandwaddledovertoTai’s
door.Assoonasshedid,thedooropenedonitsown.
Jeristoodinthedoorway,onlyshewasn’treallyJerianymore.Inherplace wasamiddle-agedwomaninadowdybrownsweaterwithreadingglasses danglingfromachainaroundherneck.Herhairhadturnedadullbrownlittered withgrayandbeenpulledbackintoano-nonsensebun.Thiswomandidn’t wearanymakeupatall,ornailpolish,oranythingmorethanapairofsilver studsinherears.
“Hello,”shesaid.Hervoicesoundedaslifelessasherbrowneyes.
“Jeri?”
“Whoelsewoulditbe?”
“Whathappenedtoyou?”
“That’snotyourbusiness,isit?”
“Butyou’reso...differentnow.”
“Yes,I’mnormalnow.Ifyou’llexcuseme,Ihaveworktodo.”Jeri brushedpastKaritositdownatherdesk.
ButKariwouldn’tbebrushedasidesoeasily.ShewaddledovertoJeri’s desk.SheriandTerijoinedher.“Jeri,whatdidyoudo?”Kariasked.“Didyou makeadealwithhim?”
“Whydoyoucare?”
“Jeri,please,whatdidyoudo?”
Shestareddownatthemforamomentandthensighed.“Ifitwillhelpme getbacktowork,thenI’lltellyou.IwentinthereandIbeggedforhimtomake meanormal-sizedadultagain.Hefinallyagreed,ononecondition:Ihadto givehimsomethingimportanttome.”
Karistudiedherfriendforamomentandthentherealizationstruck.“Your beauty.That’swhatyouofferedhim.”
“Itwasasmallpricetopayforbeingnormal,”Jerisaid.Shepattedher grayinghair.“It’snotsobad,really.ImaynotbeabletogetRauninAccounts Receivable,butIshouldbeabletofindaniceman,someonetotakecareofme.”
“Jeri—”
“Justleavemealone,”Jerisnapped.“ItwasmychoicetomakeandImade it.Youcandowhateveryouwant.”
“Youmeanhe’dmakethesamedealwithme?”Teriasked.
“Teri,no—”Karisaid.
“Shutup.”SheturnedbacktoJeri.“Wouldhe?”
“Yes,butyouprobablyhavetogivehimsomethingelse.Youneverwere verybeautiful.”
Teri’seyesnarrowed,butshedidn’tsayanything.ShelookedtowardsTai’s door.Karigrabbedherarm.“Youcan’tdothis.Thisiswhathewants.He’s
gettingyoutosurrenderyoursoulstohim.”
“Idon’tcare,”Terisaid.ToKari’ssurprise,shebegantocry.Sheheldup hersausagelinkfingers.“I’msickofbeingthisway!I’msickofpeople laughingatme.I’msickofhavingtocaperaroundherelikeafreakingmonkey justtogetsomecoffeeorpaper.I’msickofbeingafreak.Iwanttobenormal again!”
Shestompedtowardsthedoor.Sheri,alwayssopositiveabouttheircurrent plight,lookedupatJeriandthenoveratKari.“I’msorry,”shemumbledand thenfollowedhersister.
KariwaitedatherdesktoseewhatwouldhappentoTeriandSheri.Over thepastfewmonthstheyhadbecomeherbestfriends.Maybetheyweren’tas closeassheandValhadbeen,buttheyhadbeenthroughsomuchtogether,first astoddlersandthenasmidgets.Karihadthoughtthatbondstrongenoughto survivethis,butlookingatJerishesupposedshewaswrong.
Thefirstonewhocameoutwasatallwomanwithlongblackhairthat lookedpurpleinthelight.Herlipstickwasjustasdark.Evenhereyeswere blackandsmolderingwithhatred.Sheworeasheerblacktopthatshowedoff mostofheramplebreasts.Thewoman’sdarklipscurledinasneer.“Whatare youlookingat,pipsqueak?”
“Teri?”
“Guessagain,retard.”
ItwasobviousthenwhatSherihadofferedtoTai.Thatupbeatnatureof hers,theonethathadallowedhertoembraceeachcrisiswithoutpanic,hadbeen strippedaway.Inherplacewasanastyshellofahumanbeing,someonewho delightedincruelty.“LookslikeIgotamuchbetterdeal,grandma,”Sherisaid asshepassedJeri’sdesk.
“Suchimpudence,”Jerigrumbled,butthenwentbacktowork.
Teriappearedafewminuteslater.Likeasmallanimalemergingfromits hole,shepokedherheadoutthedoorfirst.Awaveoflightbrownhairobscured mostofherface.Shebrushedthisasidetorevealadeathlypalefacedottedwith freckles.Hereyes,sopalebluetheywerealmostinvisible,dartedaroundthe roombehindherthickglasses.Karicouldn’thelpthinkingTerihadbecomeher asateenager.
Havingmadesurethecoastwasclear,Teriscurriedtoherdesk,thehemof herdullbrowndresstrailingbehindher.Whenshesatatherdeskshe immediatelyhuncheduntilshewasbarelyvisible.Hersisterpracticallylicked herlipsasTerisatdown.ShereachedacrosstosnatchthestaplerfromTeri’s desk.“Whatareyoudoingwithmystapler?”
“B-butt-that’sm-m-mine,”Teristammered,hervoicepracticallyawhisper.
“W-wellt-toob-bad.It’sminenow,”Sherisaid.ShesnatchedTeri’spens andnotepadsaswell.
Terilookeddownatherdesk,kneadingherpastyhands.“T-that’sa-allr-right.Icang-getn-newo-ones.”
“Youdothat,moron.”
WhileShericontinuedpickingonhersister,theintercomonKari’sdesk buzzed.“I’mreadyforyounow,MissChomar,”Taisaid.
“Ibetyouare,”shegrumbled.
ShestormedintoTai’soffice,slammingthedoorbehindher.Helookedup frompapersonhisdeskwithasmuggrin.“Howniceofyoutoseeme.So,are youreadytodeal?”
“Never!I’llneversellmysoultoyou.”
“Tsk,tsk.‘Sellyoursoul.’Somelodramatic.Ididn’ttakeyourfriends’
souls.”
“Closeenough.Youtooktheonethingthatmadethemuniqueandthen youtwisteditaroundtotheopposite.”
“Verytrue.Butforyou,Iwon’taskforanythingthatmakesyou,you.I haveamuchsimpleritemyoucangiveme.”
“What’sthat?”
“Love.Allyouhavetodoisloveme,really,trulyloveme,andyou’llbea beautifulfull-sizewoman.”
“EvenifIwerethatdesperate,Iwouldn’ttrustyou.”Shewaggledher sausagelinkfingers.“Thisiswhathappenedthelasttimewemadeadealwith you.”
“Thatwasamusing.Thelookonyourfacewaspriceless.Buthere,letme demonstratemysincerity.”
TheStoneofChangewinkedatKari.Thistimeshefoundherselfgrowing.
Ashadhappenedbackinthenurseryofthepreschool,Kari’sfatstretchedoutas shegrew.Herbreastsswelledtothesamesizeaswhenshehadfirstbecome Tai’ssecretarywhileherwaistnarrowedandherhipsbroadened.Herlongred hairwounditselfintoanelegantupdo,onewaveofhairfallingacrossher forehead.Thefrecklesclearedfromherface,leavingitunblemishedforthefirst timeineightmonths.Lastly,herredsweaterbecameacardigan,awhiteblouse underneathwhilehergrayskirtwentdowntoherknees.Lookinginthemirror shesawabeautiful,classyyoungwoman,the
kindwhocouldbeaqueenfora king.
AllshehadtodowasloveTai.Sheturnedtohimsittingthereathisdesk withhissmuggrininplace.Tolookprettyand“normal”allshehadtodowas lovethemanwhohadsabotagedherlifeagainandagain,drivingherandVal
apartandnowdestroyinghernewfriends.
Karishookherhead.“No.Iwon’tdoit.Iwon’teverloveyou.”
“Whatapity.Ithoughtyouwouldfinallyseereason.”Hetookapuffon hiscigar.“Incaseyouhaven’trealizedityet,you’velost.LookwhatIdidto yourfriendsthere.Theygotdownontheirkneestobegmetochangethem back.Theykissedmyringjustasyoudidonce.JustlikeValdidattheend.”
“You’relying.Valwouldneverkissyourring.Shewouldnevergiveinto you!”
“Maybeyoushouldaskheryourself.”
“Whereisshe?”
“You’llsee.”
Withthat,KaridisappearedfromTai’soffice.
Part4
Chapter10
Karifoundherselfstandingbehindaglitteringsilvercurtain.Loudmusic blaredfromspeakersnearby.Evenwhensheputherhandstoherears,herhead ached.Shetookastepback,butsomeonebrushedpasther.“Watchit,”a womansnarled.
Shelookedaroundattherestofhersurroundings,buttherewasn’tmuchto seebesidesthecurtainandanarrowcorridor.Karidecidedtopartoneendof thecurtaintoseewhereTaihadtakenher.
Assoonasshedid,shegasped.Awomandressedonlyinagreenbraand pantiesgyratedaroundonabrasspole.Thewomanstoppedhergyrationstodry humpthepoleandevenlickedit.Kariwasabouttoturnawaywhenthewoman turnedtolookather.Despitethewoman’stannercomplexion,longerhair,and lackoffreckles,Karistillknewher.
ItwasVal!
Karibackedawayfromthecurtain,againbrushingagainstsomeone.This timethewoman’svoicesaid,“Thereyouare.Bosssaidweweregettinganew onetoday.”
Kariturnedaroundtoseeamountainouswomanblockingherpath.“Anew what?”
“Anewdancer.Whatelse?”
“Me?YouthinkI’man...exoticdancer?”
“Wellexcusemeforsaying,toots,butyoudon’tlooklikenoplumber.”
“Theremustbesomemistake,”Karistammered,thoughsheknewitwasno mistake.ThiswasTai’snextgame.Hewouldhumbleherbymakingherstrip forabunchofdisgusting,hornymen.HeapparentlyalreadyhadValdoingthe samething.Butwhy?WhywouldValgoalongwithit?Herfianceehadnever beenshyaboutgettingnakedinfrontofstrangers,butthatwasinthebarracks shower,notonastagewheremenwerethrowingmoneyather.TheValshe knewwouldneverstoopthatlow.
Thewomanclearedherthroat.“That’saprettygoodnaughtyteacherlook yougotgoingthere.Gointhebackandgetyourselfarulerandsomeglasses.”
“But—”
“GetyourassingearbeforeIhaveBrunoteachyousomerespect.”
Karididn’twanttoseewhoBrunowasorwhathewoulddototeachher respect.Shehurrieddownthehallway,stumblingintoadressingroom.There wereahalf-dozenchairsfacinglightedmirrors.Threeofthechairswere occupiedatthemomentbyyoungwomenapplyingmakeuporjewelry.
Karistoodthereforamomentandthenclearedherthroat.“Hi,”she squeaked.“I’m,um,thenewgirl.ThatladyoutsidesaidIshouldcomein
here.”
AgirlwearingaschoolgirloutfitsimilartotheoneKarihadbrieflywornas apreschooler,motionedherover.Theschoolgirlwasjustfinishingtightening herbrightorangepigtailswhileshesmokedacigarette.“What’syourname, hon?”
“KariChomar.”
“That’slousy.Fromnowonyou’regoingtobeMissHornee.”
“Excuseme?”
“You’redoingthenaughtyteacherbit,right?I’mdoingtheschoolgirl.
Desiree’sdoingthenurse,Shondra’sdoingtheshowgirl,andVal’sdoingthe stewardess.”
“Oh,Isee.Andyouallget...naked?Onstage?”
“That’skindofthepoint,ain’tit?”Thewomanheldoutherhand.“My name’sKrisee.”
“Hello.”
“It’stoughatfirst,butyou’llgetusedtoit.Wealldid.”
“EvenVal?”
“Youcanaskheryourself.Sheshouldbebackanysecond.”Themusic hadfadedfromthestage,allowingKaritohearcatcallsandwolfwhistles.
ApparentlyValmadeagoodstripper.
Herformerfianceeandbestfriendappearedinthedoorwayaminutelater.
AsKriseehadindicated,Valwaswearingastewardessuniform,thoughitwas farmorelow-cutthananormalstewardessuniforminboththeskirtandthe blouseunderneathherunbuttonedjacket.
ThegreenofthejacketandskirtmadeKarithinkofVal’sdressuniform.
ThelasttimeValhadwornitwasastheyboardedtheshiptotakethemonthe expedition.Valhadstoodthereproudlyinhergreenjacketfestoonedwith ribbonsforheroism.Shesnappedaparadegroundsalutetoherpassengers, followedbyturninganddoingthesametohersuperiors.Onlywhentheairlock hadsealeddidValbegintolaughuproariously.ShetookKari’shand,pulling heroverforakiss.“That’salotbetterthanasalute,isn’tit?”Valsaid.Kari couldonlynod.
Foramomentthistanned,big-breastedValstaredatKari.Thenshe screamed,“Ohmygosh!Kari!”ShesweptKariupinahugthatnearlycracked herribsbutthatmadeKarismile.
Theywerefinallybacktogether.
***
Thehugendedfartoosoon.ThenValpriedKariaway.Shetuckedabitof loosehairbehindKari’sear.“Wow,lookatyou!You’resooooprettynow!”
“Thanks.Soareyou.”
“Sure.”
Whilesheapparentlyhadnoproblemtakingoffherclothesinfrontofa bunchofstrangers,shedidhaveaproblemdoingitinfrontofpeoplesheknew.
Shewentbehindacurtaintochange,allthewhilebabblinginveryun-Val-like fashion,“Wehavesoooomuchtotalkabout!Youknow,justtheotherdayIwas wonderingwhattheheckhadhappenedtoyouandnowhereyouare,rightoutof theblue!It’ssooooamazinghowlifeworksoutsometimes,isn’tit?Imeanwe hadn’tseeneachotherinmonthsandnowwe’regoingtobeworkingtogether!
I’msooooexcited!”
Shefinallysteppedbackfromthecurtaininapinksweaterandgraypoodle skirt.She’dtiedherhairbackintoaponytailatthetopofherhead,theendofit floppingaroundasshepracticallyskippedovertoKariandgrabbedherarm.
“Comeon,wecangowatchtherestoftheafternoonshow!”
Theygotintothehallwayonlyforthefatwomantoblocktheirpath.
“Whereareyoutakingher?”thefatwomanasked.
“I’mjustgoingtoshowKariaroundtheplaceandgivehersomepointers, MissKilgore.Kari’satotalvirginatthiskindofthing.Oh,lookathowshe’s blushingjustwhenIsaid‘virgin!’Isn’tthatadorable?”
“Youbetterhaveherreadyfortonight.Seveno’clock.”
“Iwill,MissKilgore.”Valactuallykissedthefatwoman’scheek.“We’ll bebackrealsoon.”
ValdraggedKariaway,throughadoorthatledtoabarandgroupoftables.
Theroomwaslitonlybyblueandpinkneononthewalls.Karishiveredasshe sawthestageandimaginedhavingtoactuallybeupthere.
Forthemomenttherewereonlyafewpeopleintheplace,soValledKari overtoatableintheback.“YouwaitrighthereandI’llgetussomedrinks.”
ValwaggedaslenderfingeratKari,hervoicerisingasifsheweretalkingtoa smallchild.“Don’ttryrunningoff.”
“Iknow,orBrunowillgetm
e,right?”
“That’sright.He’sabig,nastyguytoo.Youdon’twanttogetonhisbad side.”Valgiggledandthenadded,“Ohno,I’veprobablyscaredyoutodeath now.Justwaitrightthereandwecantalkaboutit.It’sreallynotsobad.”
KariwatchedValsaunteroff,againlookingreadytostartskippingatany moment.Morethanthewayshedressed—andundressed—Val’sentiremanner hadbecomedifferent.Shewassobubblyandperky,twowordsthathadnever beenassociatedwithher.NotthatValhadeverbeencruelorshy;shehad
alwaysbeenoutgoingbuttough.Thetoughnesswasdefinitelymissingnow.
Perhapsthat’swhatTaihaddemandedfromher,justashe’dtakenitfromTeri.
Valskippedbackacoupleofminuteslaterwithtwoglassesofclear, bubblingliquid.“It’sjustsoda.We’renotsupposedtodrinkalcoholuntilour shiftisdone.Ittotallymessesupyourcoordination.Youcouldenduplanding onyourheadorsomething.”Valstoppedherselfwithasigh.“It’sjustsoooo goodtoseeyouagain.It’shardtobelievethelasttimeIsawyou,wewereboth wearingstinkydiapers.Wasn’tthatjustawful?”
“Itwas.”KarireachedacrossthetabletotakeVal’shand.“Val,what happenedafterthat?Whatdidhedotoyou?”
Forthefirsttime,Val’ssmilefaded.Shelookeddownatthetable.“I reallydon’twanttotalkaboutitrightnow,youknow?”
“Val—”
“Whataboutyou?Whathaveyoubeenupto?”
“Iwasjustdoingsomesecretarialwork.”
“Yeah,Icantotallyseeyoudoingthat.Whatbringsyouhere?”
“You.”
“Me?Oh,that’ssoooosweet.Butyoucouldhavejuststoppedby;you didn’thavetogetawholejobhere.”
“Itwasn’treallymychoice.”ShegaveVal’shandasqueeze.“Taiwanted metoworkhere,withyou.”
“That’sthoughtfulofhim.”
“Thoughtful?”
“Well,sure.Nowwecanbefriendsagain.It’llbegreat!Theothergirls areallreallynicetoo,atleastonceyougettoknowthem.EvenMissKilgoreis arealsweetheart,thoughshetriestoactallmean.”