The new arrival apparently found nothing amiss, and Jane was relieved to hear the slithering sound of pantyhose being lowered, followed soon after by a tired sigh as the woman lowered herself onto the toilet seat A moment later the high ring of pee hitting the bowl assured them that everything was all right so far. Jane whirled around to face her. Unnerved by Chrissy’s sudden appearance, and more than a little exasperated, she spoke a little sharply. “What? I told you last night, he’ll come, didn’t you see me?”
Chrissy, although looking right at Jane, seemed not to hear her—or even, somehow, to see her. And although her clothing and grooming were, as always, immaculate she seemed unwell; her hands were shaking slightly and she looked even paler than before. And when she finally spoke it was with a visible effort.
“When?” was all she said, but it seemed to Jane that that one word was heavy with desperation. And again she found herself stirred by pity for Chrissy, and wished she could make her understand that what she really wanted wasn’t what she thought it was. But Jane had tried before and had been called a little whore for her trouble, so she wasn’t inclined to try again. She decided that she just wanted to get it over with and get
