IGMS Issue 46 by IGMS

Author:IGMS
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Hatrack River Enterprises
Published: 2015-07-01T04:00:00+00:00

I'm ashamed to admit that my first thought when I heard Lori had disappeared was that she really had run off with the live boy, George or whoever, for all she'd said she hadn't, couldn't, never would. I'd say I should have thought better of her, but I like to think now that it might have been wishful thinking. If Lori had run off, at least then I'd know Lori was still out there, somewhere.

They eventually fished Lori's body out of the river, pallid and boneless as a dead frog. She'd thrown herself in. They said she'd been drinking. Her husband went dormant, of course, the way they do. But I swear I've seen it standing at the picture window now and again, a shadowy form behind the curtains. It doesn't grin anymore. Its mouth is so small.

I don't know what happened to the live boy. Once, when I was at the Fresh Market, Vicki told me between sidelong glances that Josephine supposedly ran off with him, or he ran off with her, or they made off with each other, a suitcase full of black skirts all the same and a jolly red bicycle filling the back of the Hearse. I hope they're happy, wherever they are. He seemed like a nice boy, and Josephine might as well get what she wants, if she's willing to take it. I've never been that brave.

As for me, I've taken to sitting with my husband while it pretends to read the paper. I pretend to watch the television, to show willing. At night, after it does what it needs to do, we both lie stiff and straight on top of the covers, eyes open, staring at the ceiling. I stretch my mouth open wide and bare my little rounded teeth. Sometimes I think I've almost got the hang of it, the grinning. The trick is to know it doesn't mean much.

Our eyes are bright in the dark, and our teeth are very white.

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