Tight by Patrick Sanchez

Author:Patrick Sanchez [Sanchez, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2014-12-26T00:00:00+00:00

30

Brenda

The seminar has finally wrapped up and throughout most of the second half I found myself unable to pay attention as Dr. Radcliff did a presentation on forehead lifts, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and facial implants. I sat through most of the discussion in a daze, preoccupied with that necklace I saw around Jazelle’s neck. I kept trying to visualize what the one I found in Jim’s car looked like—the exact color of the bear, the placement of the sapphire on its belly . . . or was it a rhinestone? I kept telling myself how silly I was being. For all I know there’s an entire rack of those necklaces at Target or Wal-mart. Sometimes, really ugly things are considered stylish. As I sat through the presentation, I thought of all the hideous things women have worn just because they were in style—I thought about legwarmers and parachute pants and poet shirts and acid wash jeans. Maybe tacky teddy bear necklaces are all the rage like those yellow Lance Armstrong bracelets I used to see so many people wearing. I mean really? What are the chances of that necklace having been given to her by my . . . I can’t even think it. It’s just too ridiculous! My husband is not having an.... He can’t be involved with.... I’m being so silly. The whole idea is clearly insane!

I follow Jazelle out of the ballroom and through the wide hallway toward the exit. When I get outside I see her about to light another cigarette. On any other night I would have waited until I got to my car to light up, but I’m too damn curious about the necklace, so I walk over and join her.

“Hey,” I say, trying to look friendly.

“Hi. So what did you think of tonight’s presentation?”

“I enjoyed it. I’m not sure I’m really up to having anything done just yet, but it was informative.”

“Yeah. I’m still deciding myself. I’d love to get some of this fat sucked out.” She pats her belly and then her cheeks. “And it’d be nice to have my eyes done. But, you know, I’m afraid. Suppose he messes up, and I end up looking like Marie Osmond or Patrick Swayze . . . like I’m in chronic state of surprise.”

I laugh. “Yeah that would be a bit scary,” I reply, before eyeing the necklace. “That necklace you have on, it’s quite unique.”

“Oh, this thing?” She chuckles. “I kind of wore it as joke today. I wanted to show some friends at work what awful taste the guy I’m seeing has in jewelry. Isn’t it the ugliest thing you’ve ever seen?”

“I don’t know. It’s kind of cute. So your boyfriend gave it to you?” I prod.

“Yeah . . . well he’s not really my boyfriend . . . more like a . . . a gentleman friend. It’s complicated.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He’s married. We just have a little thing going on the side,” she says with no detectable shame whatsoever.

My heart starts to thump after hearing what she just said.

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