Requiem for a Dream (7 page)

Sara lovingly spread the cream cheese on her bagel,
an eye and a half on her set that glowed in the early morning light
in her living room. She took a generous bite out of the bagel then
slurped a little hot tea. From time to time she smoothed and evened
the cream cheese on the bagel before taking another bite and slurping
more hot tea. She tried to eat the bagel and cream cheese slowly, but
still it was gone before the next commercial. I'll wait. No more
before the commercial. The next one should be a kitty litter. They
got such nice pussy cats. They purr so nice. She sipped a little tea
from the glass and watched the set thinking that maybe she wouldnt
have anything else until after all the commercials. After all, its no
big deal. And after breakfast I'll go to the library and get the diet
books. Dont want to forget. The library first then to Adas so she can
dye my hair. A lovely, gorgeous red. O hello puss. O, youre a sweetie
little puss. So cuddly like a baby. She reached over and picked up
the cheese danish and started dunking it in her glass of tea before
she realized what she was doing. She awoke to her action as she
chewed and rolled the danish around in her mouth. She looked at the
pastry in her hand, and the indentation her teeth made on the edge
where she had bitten, then realized why her stomach and throat were
smiling. She almost ignored the commercials completely as she
continued to bite and chew as slowly as possible, taking short, jerky
sips of tea. When she finished the delicious cheese danish she licked
her lips again, then her fingertips, then wiped her hands on the dish
towel on her lap, then gently rubbed at her mouth before sipping more
tea. She looked at the wrapping that had been around the danish and
wiped the glazed moisture with her fingertip and licked it. Waste not
and want not. Hmmmmmm, it tasted so good. It seemed to be extra
special this morning like it was made for an affair. Maybe she should
get another one. I'd miss the end of the program. I dont need any
more. Eh, who needs it. I'll forget all about it. I'll watch the show
and not think of the cheese danish. She continued to wipe the
wrapping then lick her finger. She finally crumbled all the wrappings
up in a little ball and tossed them into the garbage and forgot all
about the bagel and cream cheese and the cheese danish that seemed so
extra flaky today. A special. She watched the show and sighed, as
always, at the happy and humorous ending, then finished her tea and
readied herself to go to the library. She washed the plate, the knife
and glass and put them on the drain board, brushed her hair and
neatened herself, put on her nice button down sweater, then looked at
her set for another moment then turned it off and left the apartment.
She knew it was too early for mail, but she would check anyway. Who
knows?

The library was two blocks to the left, but she
automatically turned to the right and was unaware she had turned in
the wrong direction until the girl behind the counter in the bakery
handed her her danish and change, Here you are, Mrs. Goldfarb. Take
care. Thank you dolly. Sara left the bakery trying to believe she
didnt know what was in the bag, but the game didnt last long because
she not only did know what was in the bag, but she couldnt wait to
get it out and eat it.

But she ate it slowly and with deliberation, just
teensy little nibbles that titillated her palate and enabled her to
make it last all the way to the library. She asked the librarian
where the diet books were. The librarian looked at the bakery bag
Sara was still clutching then escorted her to the section containing
the many diet books. O, so many. I'd lose weight just looking at all
the books. The librarian chuckled, Isnt it pretty to think so. But
dont worry, Im sure we can find just what you want. I hope so. Im
going on the television and I thought maybe I should lose a few
pounds so I look svelte, and Sara rolled her eyes and the librarian
started to laugh then contained it to a chuckle. You dont have to
worry about all these books in this section. This deals with
nutrition and proper diet and health and improper diet and 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 of the
nice taste he had saved for now. He sat on the side of the bed for a
moment, then went to the bathroom and threw some cold water on his
face, rubbed it with a towel, then filled a glass with water. Hey
baby, get up and get your works, I got a little somethin here. Marion
sat up and blinked for a moment as she stared at the bathroom door.
You putting me on Harry? Hey, I dont play those kind of games. Me and
Ty scored for some way out dynamite shit yesterday and I still got a
good taste left. Marion got her works and joined Harry in the
bathroom, Here. She put the cooker on the sink and Harry tapped some
heroin in, then the water, and cooked it up. He drew all the fluid up
in the dropper then squeezed half of it out and passed it over to
Marion, Ladys first. Well, thank you kind sir. Marion wasnt fully
awake, still feeling the grogginess that comes from a long party and
sleeping during a hot afternoon, but she was alert enough to tie up
and pump up a good vein in a couple of seconds and get a good hit.
She started to nod almost immediately and Harry took the works from
her hand and cleaned them then tied up and got off himself. They sat
on the side of the tub for a few minutes, rubbing their faces and
smoking. Harry tossed his butt in the toilet and got up, Whatta ya
say we get dressed for a while, and went back to the bedroom and put
on his shirt and pants. Marion continued to sit on the side of the
tub, rubbing her nose, until the heat from her shortening cigarette
forced her eyes open and she tossed the butt in the toilet and washed
her face, slowly, hanging over the bowl looking at the water and the
face cloth, smiling at them, thinking of how she would pick up the
cloth and soap it and then scrub her face and rinse it and splash on
cold water then pat it dry . . . while just spinning the cloth
around, dreamily, with the tip of her finger. Eventually she picked
up the cloth and lovingly caressed the water from it and rubbed her
face then stood up and looked in the mirror . . . then smiled. She
let her face air dry and enjoyed the tingling sensation, then cupped
her hands under her breasts and smiled with joy and pride as she
turned and posed in various angles admiring their size and firmness.
She thought of brushing her hair but just fluffed it with her hands,
luxuriating in its feel and sheen, then posed for a few more minutes
before putting on her robe and joining Harry at the kitchen table. O,
you finally got out, eh? I thought maybe you fell in. She smiled, I
thought you were trying to, and she grabbed his breasts and squeezed.
Hey, take it easy. You wanta give me a cancer? He slapped her on the
ass and she smiled again and sat down and lit a cigarette. Jesus,
thats some good stuff. Harry leered at her, What are you talking
about? She smiled. Animal. Yeah. You love it. I didnt hear you
complaining. Hey, you know me, Im a happy go lucky clod. Well, I dont
know how happy you are, and they both chuckled, almost inaudibly,
their faces in wide grins and their eyes partially closed. Marion
poured a couple of glasses of Perrier water and Harry stared at the
bubbles for a minute then asked if she had any soda? No, but I have
some limes. Harry giggled. They sat smoking and drinking Perrier
water until the nod started to wear off and they settled in with a
fine, mellow feeling as their eyes started to open a hair at a time.
After a second glass Marion asked Harry if he wanted something to
eat, Yeah, but not until ya take a bath, and he giggled. Animal. Will
you settle for some yogurt? Harry started laughing, Yogurt??? Wow . .
. and you call me an animal, and he continued laughing. Marion
chuckled, Sometimes I think youre sick. Sometimes? Yes, sometimes.
The rest of the time theres absolutely no doubt. She took a couple of
containers of yogurt out of the refrigerator and put them on the
table, along with two spoons. Well, Im glad that at least some of the
time you have no doubts. Indecision is a terrible thing. Still on the
pineapple yogurt kick, eh? Yes. I love it. But dont you ever get the
hots for strawberry or blueberry or any of them? No. Just pineapple.
I could live on it the rest of my life. Well baby, if eating
pineapple yogurt every day will get you looking the way you do Im all
for it. Marion pulled her shoulders back and turned slightly in a
pose, You like the way I look? Hey, you kiddin? Youre sensational
baby, Harry leaned across the table, Youre good enough to eat. Well,
maybe you had better start with the yogurt. Its very nourishing. O
yeah? You mean it puts lead in your pencil, eh? Okay, take a letter,
and he started laughing. Marion shook her head as she smiled and put
a spoonful of yogurt in her mouth then licked her lips. How can you
laugh at those jokes of yours, they are positively terrible. Yeah,
but I lovem. If I dont laugh, who will? Marion continued to smile as
she finished her yogurt. They had another glass of Perrier water and
were really enjoying their high even though they were sweating from
the heat of the day and the dope. Harry closed his eyes and started
breathing deeply, a serene smile on his face. What are you doing?
Sniffing. Sniffing? Sniffing what? Us baby. Us.

It smells like the Fulton Fish Market in here. Marion
smiled and shook her head, Don't be so gauche. At least its better
than being crass, and anyway, Im lovable. Harry laughed and Marion
chuckled, then he got up, Why dont we take a bath? Marion smiled, I
didnt think you knew how, and then she started laughing, I like that.
That was a good one. They both laughed and he took off his pants and
shorts and tossed them on the bed as they went back into the
bathroom. Marion put some bath oil in the water and they plopped in
the tub and luxuriated in the smooth, scented water and washed each
other slowly, as they worked the soap in to a lather and caressed the
lather over each others body, then slowly dripped water over each
other, floating away the heat of the afternoon.