Free Dark Plums by Maria Espinosa Page A

taxi door and jumping out, but Lucille dug her nails into Adrianne’s arm.
    â€œI’m ill,” Lucille whispered. “I don’t think I have much longer to live.”
    â€œWhat kind of illness do you have?” asked Adrianne.
    â€œI want you to stay with me,” said Lucille, evading the question.
    â€œCan you stay with me for a little while?”
    Lucille’s need wrenched at Adrianne. It was Monday, and she did have the day off from her job. Furthermore, after what had just happened, there was not much chance that Alfredo would call her tonight.
    â€œYes, I can,” she said slowly.
    Oblivious of the taxi driver, Lucille gave Adrianne a long, full, wet kiss. Then unexpectedly she announced, “I feel like shopping. Will you come with me?”
    In a flat voice, Adrianne agreed to do whatever Lucille wanted.
    They spent the afternoon at Bonwit’s. Lucille treated herself to a silver mink jacket. For Adrianne she bought a black chiffondress, slender Italian high heels, and quantities of lacy underwear. In spite of herself, Adrianne luxuriated in the new clothes. Perhaps they would make her more desirable in Alfredo’s eyes. Long ago the dream-mother of her childhood fantasies had clothed her in bright dresses.
    Back at the hotel, Lucille collapsed on the bed, sighing with fatigue. Room Service sent up a light dinner of consomme and salad greens. After they had eaten, Adrianne dozed off while Lucille was in the bathroom. When she opened her eyes, she saw Lucille standing over her in a peach silk negligee.
    â€œAdrianne, I have something to tell you. But let’s have a nightcap first. Scotch on the rocks okay? That’s all I’ve got.”
    â€œI’ve already had too much to drink, and I’m sleepy.”
    â€œHoney, I need a drink.”
    Lucille would always be elegant, thought Adrianne as she watched Lucille walk across the room in her high-heeled slippers. She went over to a mahogany sideboard, picked up a glass, and filled it almost to the brim from a Cutty Sark bottle.
    A fire siren shrilled. Lucille hobbled across the room to peer down through the blinds at 59th Street and the edge of Central Park. “It’s incredible that they still have horses and carriages down there,” she said. “We had a mule back home,” she continued. “Did you know I was a farm girl? I left home when I was even younger than you—Alfredo did glom onto some things about me—I’ve seen too many men hurt women.” Lucille gulped down what was left in her glass. Then she looked at Adrianne strangely. “Close your eyes and count to ten.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œJust do as I say.”
    Adrianne obeyed.
    â€œNow, open them.”
    Lucille had pulled open the negligee, revealing her chest, where the skin was pink and flat. The nipples were gone.
    â€œMy God! Lucille, what happened to you?”
    â€œBreast cancer. They butchered me.”
    Adrianne moved close to Lucille and held her. She felt roughened skin over ribs, where once Lucille’s soft, full breasts had been.
    â€œMaybe I’ll find a plastic surgeon,” Lucille murmured. “But what’s the use?”
    â€œOf course you’ll find a surgeon,” said Adrianne, wanting to reassure her even though she knew nothing at all about this situation.
    â€œWhat kills me is how Barney could choose this time to file for divorce.”
    â€œYou’re not going to die.”
    â€œWhat do you know about it? You’re a goddamn fool.”
    â€œDon’t talk to me like that!”
    Lucille wrenched away. “You’re repulsed by me, just as he is.” She flung herself onto the bed and bit into the green brocade spread as if to keep from screaming. With her cropped hair and no makeup, she looked almost like a boy.
    Through the thin silk, Adrianne stroked her narrow back. “I love you, Lucille. I want to you to live,” she whispered as she