Чужак в чужой стране

           That’swhatHappinessdoesforyou,dear.Altermyfirstkid,Iletmyfiguregotopot.Igotquiteacanonme–theyinventedtheword‘broad’justtofitme.Mybellyalwayslookedlikefourmonthsgone,orworse.Mybustshungdown–andI’veneverhad’emlifted.Youdon’thavetobelieveme;sure,Iknowagoodplasticsurgeondoesn’tleaveascar?butonmeitwouldshow,dear;itwouldchopchunksoutoftwoofmypictures.

           "ThenIseenthelight!Igotconverted.Nope,notexercise,notdiet–Istilleatlikeapigandyouknowit.Happiness,dear.PerfectHappinessintheLordthroughthehelpofBlessedFoster."

           "It’samazing,"saidJill,andmeantit.Sheknewwomenwhohadkepttheirlooksquiteaswell(asshefirmlyintendedtokeephers)butineverycaseonlythroughgreateffort.SheknewthatAuntPattywastellingthetruthaboutdietandexercise,atleastduringthetimeshehadknownher?andasasurgicalnurseJillknewexactlywhatwasexcisedandwhereinabreast-liftingjob;thosetattooshadcertainlyneverknownaknife.

           ButMikewasnotamazed.HeassumedconclusivelythatPathadlearnedhowtothinkherbodyasshewishedit,whethersheattributedittoFosterornot.HewasstilltryingtoteachthiscontroltoJill,butknewthatshewouldhavetoperfectherknowledgeofMartianbeforeitcouldbeperfect.Nohurry,waitingwouldaccomplishit.Patwentontalking:

           "IwantedyoutoseewhattheFaithhasdoneforme.Butthat’sjustoutside;therealchangeisinside.Happiness.