The Beautiful People
© 2003 [email protected] May be freely distributed as long as no charge (including AVS) is made for this story and the copyright notice is not removed.

Fate struck at 10:37 PM. Josie sang off-key, her head bouncing to the bass, her foot heavy on the accelerator. Her eyes were square, but she'd nailed that shoot. She might even make the cover. Imagine.

Josie skipped ahead on the 8 Mile soundtrack, distracted only a moment. Tires screeched. Steel mashed into rock. Her convertible flipped. The world spun.

Darkness.

She drifted, able to hear but not move. The voices were clinical, no major fractures, superficial bruising, and the clincher, localized brain damage. She slipped under.

***

Years of her life were white space, a void she clawed desperately at. Words stuttered out her mouth, unable to keep up with her thoughts, running over each other. Friends no longer invited her to the races, their schedules permanently full. Her fiancé had lasted six weeks before slipping away.

Men still looked at her. None were able to stomach her broken speech, even to take advantage for a night's profit. She could still recognize pity, so close to shame. She hadn't forgotten how to cry.

***

Meals on Wheels was a far cry from Tahiti, but Josie couldn't sit idle. Ironically this felt more fulfilling, even if the pay wasn't so great. At least she didn't have to worry about sand in her bikini.

He was smiling at her again. Josie pushed past her own prejudices, past his asymmetrical face, and smiled back. His name was Darren, always smiling and joking with the staff. If he "wasn't quite there" the only things Josie could tell were missing were greed, jealousy, and hate.

Josie noticed those big hands again. She could have sworn her bottom tingled. His blue eyes met hers. She blushed and resumed grating cheese. Nothing could take away her deepest unfulfilled desires.

***

Josie rested on his shoulder, so relaxed that if they weren't watching her favourite DVD, she might fall asleep. People stared at them when they went out, but when she looked at him, she just saw Darren. Her past lovers had worn flashy clothes, driven fast cars, been fast in most departments. She doubted they remembered her.

She clutched his hand. It was coming up to her favourite part. She held her breath for the entire scene.

The end of the movie and the dance began, Josie finding Darren's soft lips. They kissed long and passionately. Abruptly, the kisses stopped, and Darren lowered Josie to the couch. He was going to make love to her. She'd been ready for twenty minutes. Patience was this man's middle name.

She gasped as he turned her face down over his lap. His hand rubbed over her thin slacks.

"You like this?"

"H.. How?"

"We watch Secretary every week. I ain't that clever, but I ain't stupid."

His big hand circled.

"You've been a very naughty girl Josie."

She looked back over her shoulder, nodding, answering many questions.

"My princess gets anything she wants, even a spanking."

Darren's hand smacked her bottom firmly.

The clock read 10:37 PM.

© 2003 [email protected] May be freely distributed as long as no charge (including AVS) is made for this story and the copyright notice is not removed.