chapter 1
fiction
HUFFINGTON
09.23.12
“And are you a member of this store?”
Janet fumbled in her wallet again and this time produced
a bronze store credit card.
“Well,” the saleslady said, nodding tightly, “if it’s
worth that much to you. Fairly regularly, yes. What would
you call regular?”
“Majority of the time,” Janet said.
“Fine then,” said the saleslady. “Majority of the time.
About seventy percent, through one method or another.
Easier on some days than others. I don’t keep track, no.
Better off the pill than on. Nicer for me at night than in the
morning. Now. Done! The turtlenecks are that way.”
Her face was flushed. The red ribbon matched, in perfect
harmony, the blush high on her cheeks.
Janet thrust the bills forward and held herself back from
taking the woman’s hand and kissing it.
“Thank you.” She felt her eyes watering. “You are really
very beautiful.” The yearning in her voice was so palpable it
caught them both by surprise.
The saleslady stared at the money and broke into uncomfortable giggles before she grabbed it and strode off into the
suit section. The older blonder manager meandered over
from across the room, sensing a need for managerial skills.
“Can I help you?” she asked Janet, now standing alone
at the register.
“I need a turtleneck,” said Janet.
N THE HORROR story, the woman tells the man
that she loves him, and she will marry him, but he
must never remove the red velvet ribbon around
her neck. It is the one thing he can never ask of
her. At first it’s the easiest trade; he agrees for
years and they are blissfully happy but after awhile it begins, in a slow broil, to burn him up inside. Why all the
mystery? He unties the ribbon late at night, while she
I