The Kitchen
The fog closed over the scene, and Pauline turned to Berni.
“So that’s my assignment?” Berni said thoughtfully. “I think I can handle it. What a hunk that guy Montgomery is. If I were there, I’d want him myself. Does he have money? It would be nice if he had money, because then he could buy Terel some more clothes. She could have—”
“Your assignment is Nellie.”
“He could buy her a mansion or, better yet, build her one. He could—what?”
“Your assignment is to help Nellie.”
Berni was too stunned to speak. “What help does she need? She has everything. She has a family who loves her and—”
“Does her family love her?”
“They must. They put up with her. You saw her eat that cake. Disgusting. I wouldn’t live with someone like that.”
“Even if that person cooked and cleaned for you and picked up your clothes?”
“I see. This is all meant to make me feel sorry for the fat girl. No one opened her mouth and forced that food inside her. She ate that cake. She eats candy all day long. No one makes her.”
“Mmm,” Pauline said.
Berni got off the banquette. She was growing angry now. “You’re just like those bleeding hearts on earth, always talking about eating disorders and how people can’t help themselves. Do you think I stayed slim all my life because I’m naturally thin? I’m thin because I starved myself. I got on my scale every day, and if I was so much as a half pound heavy, I fasted that day. That’s how a person keeps from getting fat. Discipline!”
“I don’t think Nellie is as strong as you. Some people, like you, can make it through life all by themselves, but people like Nellie need help.”
“She has help. She has a family that puts up with her. There she is, a fat old maid, yet her father’s supporting her.”
“He certainly seems to be getting his money’s worth.”
Berni glared at Pauline. “You think you know this fatty, but you don’t. I know what fatsos like her are really like. She looks like she’s the model daughter, taking care of her father and sister, acting reluctant when a gorgeous man asks her out. She may look like the perfect angel, but underneath all the blubber beats a heart full of hatred. I know.”
“You know Nellie that well?” Pauline asked softly.
“I know women just like her. My sister is fat, and she hated me. She hated the way the boys asked me out, the way everyone looked at me and no one ever looked at her. I tell you, if you could see the true nature of this Nellie, you wouldn’t see some meek little earth mother, you’d see a demon.”
“That’s difficult to believe.”
“I know what I’m talking about. Every fat girl who ever saw me wanted to look like me. They all hated me because they were jealous—just as Nellie is jealous of that lovely Terel.”
“You’re sure Nellie actually hates her sister?”
“Positive. If Nellie were given what she really wants, Terel’s arms would probably drop off. She would…” Berni stopped. “What do I have to do to help this Nellie?”
“It’s up to you. I told you, we supply the magic, and you supply the wisdom.”
“Wisdom,” Berni said, smiling. “I don’t know who chooses these assignments, but they goofed this time. Nellie doesn’t need help, it’s Terel who needs the help. I could prove it if I could give Nellie what she really, truly wants.”
“You can.”
Berni thought about that. “All right, I’ll give her three wishes. Not dumb wishes like ‘I wish the dishes were washed’ but wishes for what Nellie genuinely wants. She doesn’t have to voice her wish, just want it, you know what I mean?”
“I believe so. You think that what Nellie seems to want and what she really wants are at odds?”
“Odds? Are you kidding? Little Miss Goody Two Shoes will wish that hunk belonged to her, and she’ll wish Terel into an early grave. You mark my words. I’ll return, and Terel will be scrubbing floors. She’ll probably wish her father into the poorhouse.”
“Return?” Pauline asked. “You mean to give her three wishes and walk away? You don’t plan to stay and see what happens?”