Free Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr. Page B

disease.
Disease I dont need, thank you. And weight I dont need. Sara
Gold-farb smiled at the librarian who returned her smile. Then Saras
eyes twinkled, Maybe a little more than some. Well, the books you
would be interested in are here, these deal with losing weight. Sara
tried to look at all of them at once, They look so fat, if youll
excuse the expression. She twinkled again at the librarian who had to
control her laughter and keep it down to a chuckle. I think a skinny
book is better. I dont have too much time. The time I need to lose
weight, not to read a book. I could get muscles lifting books that
big. The librarians eyes were tearing slightly from controlling her
laughter. Well, heres the slimmest volume on the shelf. Sup pose we
take a look at it. The librarian glanced through it quickly, nodding
her head, Yes, yes. I think this will fit your needs perfectly.
Theres a minimum of reading, the regimen is clearly laid out in
easily understandable terms and, this is the part I think you will
really like, it says you can lose up to ten pounds a week, or even
more. I like it already. Also, I happen to know that this is a very
popular book. We have three copies and we have a difficult time
keeping one on the shelf. I assume it is a good book from a reducing
point of view. She chuckled again, Of course I wouldn't know
personally. Im noticing. I hate you already. Just dont tell me you
eat ice cream and cake every night. The librarian was still chuckling
and put her arm around Saras shoulders, No, just pizza. You should
plotz already. They were both chuckling and the librarian kept her
arm around Saras shoulder as they walked to the check out counter.
After the librarian checked her out and handed Sara the book she
asked her if she wanted to throw the paper bag away. Sara looked at
it in her hand and shrugged, Why not? It worked hard. It needs a
rest. The librarian tossed it in the wastepaper basket, Have a good
day, Mrs. Goldfarb. Sara smiled and twinkled, Take care dolly. She
held the slim volume tightly in her hand as she walked home. The sun
felt so nice and warm and she found joy in the yelling of the
children who ran along the street and between cars, jumping on each
others back ignoring the honking of horns and the screams of drivers.
Just feeling the book in her hands she could visualize the pounds
melting off. Maybe this afternoon, after Ada fixes her hair, she'll
get a little sun and feel thin. But first the hair.
    Ada had everything ready. For twenty-five years she
had been dyeing her own hair and in her sleep she can turn anyone
into a redhead. Maybe not knowing always ahead of time exactly what
shade of red, but red. She first made each a glass tea because,
believe me, youll need it to wash out the taste and smell, then she
got to work. She set everything up on the kitchen table and worked in
such a way that they could watch the action on the television. Ada
wrapped a bath towel around Saras neck and started stripping her
hair. Saras face twisted and wrinkled like a prune, Ech, what a
smell. Thats the Gawanus Canal? Just relax dolly, you got a long way
to go. Youll get used to it. Get used to it? Im almost losing my
appetite. They both chuckled and Ada continued the slow stripping
process as they listened to, and watched, the television. After an
hour or so, Sara became accustomed to the smell and her appetite
returned and she wondered if they would be finished before lunch
time. Sweetie, we're lucky if we're finished before supper. So long?
Thats right. With you we're starting from scatch one. And I thought I
would catch a little sun today. In a box youll catch it. You just
relax and think how gorgeous youll look
with
your red hair. Today the hair tomorrow the sun.
    The heat and the sun awakened Harry and Marion in the
afternoon. They each tried to convince themselves to go back to sleep
and not let the other one know they were awake, but after a few
minutes the game became tedious. Especially for Harry thinking