Chapter 12

           MargieYoung-Huntwasanattractivewoman,informed,clever;socleverthatsheknewwhenandhowtomaskhercleverness.Hermarriageshadfailed,themenhadfailed;onebybeingweak,andthesecondweaker—hedied.Datesdidnotcometoher.Shecreatedthem,mendedherfencesbyfrequenttelephonecalls,byletters,get-wellcards,andarrangedaccidentalmeetings.Shecarriedhomemadesouptothesickandrememberedbirthdays.Bythesemeansshekeptpeopleawareofherexistence.

           Morethananywomanintownshekeptherstomachflat,herskincleanandglowing,herteethbright,andherchinlinetaut.Agoodlypartofherincomewenttohair,nails,massage,creams,andunguents.Otherwomensaid,"Shemustbeolderthanshelooks."

           Whensupportingmusclesofherbreastsnolongerrespondedtocreams,massage,andexercise,sheplacedtheminshapelyformsthatrodehighandjauntily.Hermake-uptookincreasingtime.Herhairhadallthesheen,luster,wavethetelevisionproductspromise.Onadate,dining,dancing,laughing,amusing,drawingherescortwithanetofsmallmagnets,whocouldknowhercoldsenseofrepetition?Afteradecentintervalandanoutlayofmoney,sheusuallywenttobedwithhimifshediscreetlycould.Thenbacktoherfence-mending.Soonerorlaterthesharedbedmustbethetraptocatchherfuturesecurityandease.Buttheprospectivegameleapedclearofthequiltedjaws.Moreandmoreofherdateswerethemarried,theinfirm,orthecautious.AndMargieknewbetterthananyonethathertimewasrunningout.