The Chosen

at the camisole’s bosom, eyeing herself more closely in the mirror. “You’re too reserved, you know that? What you ought to do, Vera, is just pick up a guy and have a down-and-dirty one night stand.”

“Just pick up a guy, huh?” Vera didn’t know whether to laugh or smirk. “I can see me now, driving into downtown Waynesville in a brand-new Lamborghini, then pulling up a stool at the ever-sophisticated Waterin’ Hole, and putting the make on hayseeds.”

“What an awful stereotype,” Donna remarked. Now she was adjusting the frilled hem, which descended about two millimeters past her crotch. “There’re probably some nice guys down there—so what if they’re not stockbrokers? And of course”—Donna’s reflection grinned back—“there’s always Kyle.”

Vera wanted to shout. “The other day you were telling me to stay away from him, now you’re saying that I should—”

“I meant that you should be careful around him, Vera. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. What’s the harm?”

“He’s conceited, arrogant, malicious,” Vera reeled off, “shifty, two-faced, self-centered—”

“And cute,” Donna reminded. “Admit it, Vera. You’re attracted to the guy.”

“I am n—” Her next acknowledgement fell like an ax on her words. Talk about hypocrites, she scolded herself. Last night I was actually hoping that he’d…What? Make love to me? She mustn’t lie to herself. I wanted him to screw the daylights out of me. “Well, sure, I’m attracted to him,” she then admitted. She didn’t dare tell Donna about late-night swim and back rub; that would only make her sound more hypocritical. “But I just can’t ever picture me getting involved with someone like Kyle.”

“You are so hard-headed I can’t believe it,” Donna nearly exclaimed. “I’m not telling you to get involved with him, for God’s sake. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go a couple of rounds with him, you know.”

“I’m not into sex for the sake of sex.” But how honest a comment was that, considering her fantasies, her dreams, and what she’d wished had taken place last night? She’d always believed that sex was something that should only happen between two people who loved each other, or at least had feelings for each other. But now?

“Vera, Mother Nature gave you a sex drive for a reason.”

“Yeah, to have babies, and I’m not ready to have babies.”

“That’s why Father Pharmacy invented the pill. You’re supposed to want to have sex, it’s human nature. It’s unhealthy to repress your natural desires, and I certainly don’t see anything wrong with a little harmless no-strings fooling around. And can I say something, as a friend?”

“Of course,” Vera said.

“You’re not going to get mad, right? You’re not going to be offended?”

“I’m not going to be offended. What, I have bad breath?”

“No, but sometimes you’re in a bad mood.”

Vera’s mouth screwed up in speculation. “What do you mean?”

“What I mean is, since we’ve come here, you’ve been a little bitchy, that’s all.”

“Thanks,” Vera said.

“See, I knew you’d be offended.”

“I’m really bitchy?” Vera