Skin Puppet

by Jeffery Craig

  Melba solicitously offered her arm as they made their way down the block toward Moon’s shop. “I’m fine. To tell you the truth, I’m glad to take a small break from all the writing. Jon and Lindsi are making a big difference. I was worried we wouldn’t get them done, but I think we’ll have plenty of time to get them to the post office this evening.”

  “I am glad to hear it. I am afraid they are going out a little later than is ideal, but that could not be helped, I suppose. I do not think there should be too many unavoidable conflicts, so the turnout will be acceptable.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. Honestly though, I not sure how you estimated the numbers for Bernice. How did you decide how many people she should prepare food for?”

  “Well, it is not an exact science. In this case, I weighed the relative importance of the occasion, applied some consideration to my personal reputation around the business community, and decided upon a number.” Zhou patted Melba’s arm reassuringly. “There is no need to worry. I am positive that there will be a very respectable level of attendance.”

  Actually, Melba hadn’t been at all worried until Zhou Li made that comment. Suddenly, it was very important there was a full house—if for no other reason than to avoid disappointing Madame Zhou. “How many did you tell Bernice to prepare for?”

  “Four hundred and fifty.”

  “Four hundred and fifty! Don’t you think that’s a little optimistic?”

  “Not at all. I am, in fact, worried that I may have estimated too low.”

  Before Melba could give in to the sudden sinking feeling in her solar plexus, they reached Passed Around. She pushed open the front door and assisted her companion up the small step. She had been so distracted, she hadn’t even checked out the front window. Moon was famous on Capital Street for her merchandizing displays, although Melba remembered the first time she had seen the lighted horror of tatty pastel prom dresses and cheesy cowgirl costumes. As it turned out, that was Moon’s one concession to kitsch.

  Every year, she hauled out similar collections of crap otherwise never seen anywhere near her shop and successfully sold the majority of it during sorority rush and for the founder’s week parade. Last fall, an entire bevy of poufy prom dresses had adorned the city’s contingent of drag queens— much to the dismay of a former conservative politician. Thankfully, said politician was now locked away in the crazy house, but the drag queens would be back to select new finery. Seemed like a perfect trade-off.

  The door had no sooner closed behind them when they were greeted by the proprietress herself.

  “Madame Zhou and Detective Reightman! How outstandingly wondrous to see you both on this blustery and bitter day. My doldrums are now quite chased away to the dark and dreadful shadows where they belong.”

  Melba had tried, without success, to reinforce the fact she was, in fact, no longer officially a detective. Moon was steadfast in her refusal to address Melba in any other way, claiming she would continue to afford her friend ‘all of the glamour and mystique the title conveyed.’ Moon lived in a different world, but was the acknowledged fashion maven among the social set, and a very shrewd business woman to boot. She’d also been a kind-hearted and valued friend during one of the darkest points in Melba’s life.

  Moon glided to the front of the shop with all of the grace of a beautiful, but tragic, ballerina. Today, she was swathed in diaphanous layers of some kind of floaty fabric—chiffon, maybe—of a pale golden color which accentuated her dark skin and dramatic height. She’d accessorized with a curious combination of necklaces made out of dark, polished wood and piano keys, highlighted by chunks of amber and some sort of dark red, sparkling beads. Her earrings matched, and swung beneath her asymmetrically bobbed head of dark hair, drawing attention to her high cheekbones. Lipstick mirroring the color of the sparkling beads and perfectly coordinated nail polish, along with rather severe eye liner, gave her the appearance of an exotic ancient priestess or slightly debauched jazz singer.

  Regardless, the whole thing worked, as it always did.

  After the appropriate exchange of pleasantries, they got right down to business.

  “Madame Zhou very astutely noticed a few things that would totally enhance your charm and beauty, Detective. After consulting together, I placed the most outstanding and amazing examples in the back for your approval. I understand you have a glamorous afternoon soiree planned for next weekend, and I’m certain one of the items will provide the perfect personification of elegance for the event. Now, if you would be pleased to follow me, I’ll escort you to the changing and viewing area and then be right back with the possible choices.”

  Knowing she probably wasn’t going to get away without at least trying on the garments, she followed Moon and Zhou to the back of the store, trying not to fidget. Zhou Li ensconced herself in the well-padded, throne-like chair that was her usual perch, and Moon hurried to the back, only to return a few seconds later with her arms full of fabric. Hearing Melba’s attempt to suppress a heavy sigh, Moon smiled and hung several hangers on a handy hook.

  “Not too worry, Detective. There are only three most excellent and alluring choices today.” With a flourish, she presented the first choice. “I just got this in as part of a recent shipment from New York. It was made in a designer workshop in the late nineteen-fifties and is most elegant in its simplicity. It can be worn in the early evening, and with the addition of the matching jacket, it is most appropriate for a late afternoon cocktail party.”

  Melba reached out a hand to touch the dark red fabric, liking the slightly nubby texture and the subtle sheen. She wasn’t sure about the color, though. It seemed a little bold. “Is this silk?”

  “Oh, Detective! You are very discerning. Yes, it is very high quality Thai silk. All of the stitching is done by hand and the ensemble has been meticulously cared for. The color has perhaps mellowed a bit over the years, but I believe that has only added to its allure. What do you think?”

  “Well, I like the simple lines. I’m not quite sure of the color, though. It might be too much for me.”

  “Nonsense! It is simply more vibrant than you normally wear. Trust me—you will be a vision in this.” When Melba continued to consider it, Zhou Li interjected.

  “I happen to agree with Moon, although I understand the color is somewhat out of your comfort zone. However, it cannot hurt to try it on.”

  “Okay. I’ll try it, but I’m not making any promises.”

  Zhou Li tried unsuccessfully to hide her tiny smile. “Of course, dear. That is understood.”

  Melba instinctively disliked the next garment on sight. She wasn’t sure why, but the peacock blue fabric with black embroidery along the neck and sleeves caused an unpleasant, almost visceral reaction. “No,” she said immediately. “Not that one. Not even going to try it on. It gives me the heebie jeebies for some reason. I’m not even sure why, so don’t even bother asking.”

  Moon considered the garment again, and peaked inside the neckline to check the tag. “I can’t understand why you feel so very strongly about it, but I’ve learned not to argue when the reaction is so extreme. Perhaps it is the whisper of fate sending a message, or maybe it is a subconscious warning. No worries! We still have one more choice to consider.”

  The final selection presented was a very safe navy blue, and Melba was comforted by the color. Navy had always been her friend. Like the first, it came with a jacket and was severely tailored. There was nothing fussy or to over-the-top about it and, like everything else in the shop, the fabric was nice. She also liked the buttons on the jacket. “Okay, I like this one. In fact, I think I like it the best.” She turned back to Madame Zhou to gauge her reaction. “Why don’t we just agree it’s the winner?”

  Zhou Li grinned at Moon and settled back into her seat. “I was correct,” she announced in a very self-satisfied voice. “Pay up.”

  Moon shrugged and walked behind the check-out counter and opened the cash drawer. She glided over to Madame Zhou and placed a ten
dollar bill on the small table next to Zhou’s chair. When the elderly lady reached out a tiny hand to pick up the money, Moon cleared her throat and raised one perfect eyebrow. “The first round is indeed yours, and I submit to your wisdom. However, the final selection has not been made.”

  “What the heck? You made a bet about me?” Melba asked surprise. “What was the bet?”

  “I predicted you would choose the navy dress and jacket and try to get out of here without trying anything else on,” Zhou Li informed her matter-of-factly as she caressed the crisp bill between her fingers. “Moon suggested your taste has evolved somewhat over the last few months, and stacked ten dollars on her assumption. She lost.”

  Before Melba could think of a response, the shrill tone of the store’s phone broke her train of thought. With a murmured “Excuse me,” Moon hurried back to the counter and picked up the receiver.

  “Thank you for calling Passed Around. This is Moon, and I am delighted to help you.” After only a second, Moon interrupted the caller. “I can’t talk right now. I’ll have to call you back.” With no further exchange, Moon put down the call and made her way back over to the dressing area. “I must apologize, and I am terribly distressed I had to interrupt to answer the phone. Kindly remind me what we were discussing.”

  “Madame Zhou was filling me in on the details of your little side bet.”

  “Ah, yes. I remember now. So, have you decided the navy is your final choice?”

  After weighing Zhou’s poker face and Moon’s expression of calm anticipation, Melba shook her head. “Nope. I haven’t decided yet. I’ll try on both.”

  With a triumphant grin, Moon gathered both choices from the hook and placed them in the adjacent dressing room and quickly returned to usher Melba through the curtained doorway. Zhou Li placed the now-creased bill back down on the table with a resigned shake of her head and peered out from behind her glasses.

  Melba started toward the dressing room, and then stopped and turned back to the two women. “I’m assuming since the money’s back on the table, you lost this time?”

  Zhou pursed her lips and gave a single reluctant nod.

  “Since the money’s still on the table, I guess there’s still a final bet that has something to do with which dress I pick after I try them on. Am I right?”

  “Oh, Detective Reightman, you are absolutely correct! On top of which, if I remember correctly, the final bet is double or nothing.” Moon looked pointedly at her opponent. “Was that the agreement, Madame?”

  Zhou Li gave another nod, and slowly reached down to her handbag. She lifted it to her lap and snapped it open. After a moment, she withdrew a bill of her own and placed it next to the first.

  Melba narrowed her eyes and considered the money on the table. “Just so I understand…one of you has bet I’ll take the navy and one the red. Is that the picture?”

  Once they both agreed that was indeed the final bet, Melba gave them each one more accessing look and went through the curtain to select her outfit. As she wiggled out of her work clothes and into the navy dress, she evaluated the result. Turning to catch a view of her backside in the mirror, and then trying on the short fitted jacket, she decided her instincts were right. The navy looked pretty damned good. The skirt needed to be hemmed, of course, and the sleeves of the jacket could be shortened, but other than that, it was perfect. She liked the color, she liked the fit and could see herself wearing it the next time she had a similar occasion to attend. It was a safe choice and one she could like and live with. “I wonder which one of those sneaky broads is betting on the navy?”

  She turned the question over in her mind as she hung it back up and shimmied into the red number. After dragging up the side zipper and pulling on the matching bolero jacket, she turned back to check out her reflection. “Whoa.” Gathering her head of messy curls in one hand, she quickly twisted it and held it on top of her head. “Wow.” This lady in the mirror was something else. Each and every curve was on display, but in a classy and discreet way. She quickly checked out her behind, and then slipped the jacket off and looked again. She didn’t know if she was comfortable with the reflection, but she liked it. “Did Moon bet on this one, or did Zhou?”

  Melba carefully removed the dress and hung it up, and then dressed in her work clothes. The process of evaluating both choices brought back memories of one of her first trips to Passed Around when she’d been asked to describe how the clothing she tried on made her feel. It was an interesting exercise and one she used from time to time when shopping for clothing or accessories. Closing her eyes, she went over each of the outfits in her mind. After a minute, she grinned and grabbed both sets of hangers from the hook.

  As expected, the two waiting women were waiting expectantly. She gave them each a serene smile, walked to the small table and picked up the twenty bucks, then slipped it into her pocket and gave it a little pat.

  Meeting each of their eyes, she gave a shrug. “It’s not nice to make secret side bets, especially about something like this. Besides, neither of you won.”

  “What?” Zhou Li’s eyebrows inched up her forehead.

  “You selected neither?” Moon was shocked and disappointed.

  Melba enjoyed the moment and the looks on both their faces. After a moment of savoring the rare experience of outwitting both of them, she reached back in her pocket and pulled out the money. Separating the two bills, she handed one to each of them. “I should keep this, just to teach you a lesson, but figure it’s a lost cause. Besides, even though you both lost, you both kind of won.”

  “I don’t understand, and that is distressing me horribly. Can you please explain, Detective?”

  “Sure, Moon. You see, since you each bet I’d choose one of the garments, you both lost. I’m taking the navy number and the red one.”

  Before Moon could respond, the shop phone rang again. She took the hangers from her and headed back toward the counter. “Detective, can we arrange for a fitting in a few days? I assume that there will be some slight adjustment needed to bring the garments into perfect proportion.”

  While the phone rang again, Melba nodded her agreement. “That works. Just call SarahJune and schedule. I’ll settle up then. Will that work?”

  “Certainly. Thank you again.”

  The phone rang once more before Moon reached it. As Melba and Zhou Li headed toward the door, Moon’s exclamation stopped them in their tracks.

  “What do you mean? How could you let that happen?”

  They turned back to the counter. Moon covered her mouth and nodded to indicate everything was fine and shooed them back to the door. The conversation continued, but in more hushed tones. Trying not to listen, Melba opened the door and helped Zhou Li down the step.

  Once the door had closed behind them, she turned to Zhou Li and met her worried look with one of her own. “Do you think everything’s all right?”

  Zhou Li looked back toward the shop door, and for a moment, Melba thought she would insist they go back inside to check on their friend. Instead, Zhou shook her head and gently took hold of her arm.

  “I do not know if anything is the matter or not. However, I do know Moon is a very private person. She knows that if she needs us, we will be there for her. I think it is best to leave it at that for the present.”

  They slowly proceeded down the sidewalk, both lost in their own thoughts. Melba was occupied in trying to decipher what she had seen on Moon’s face and heard in her voice right before Moon waved them away. She’d clearly heard shock and anger and, for a brief instant, saw Moon’s eyes widen in fear.

  Zhou’s voice drew her out of her reverie. “We will know soon enough.”

  ***

  While Melba was shopping, Toby kept his head down, focused on putting addresses on envelopes and not on Jon Chiang. He made it through seven or eight names and then found himself sneaking looks like a love-struck schoolboy. Seemingly possessed of some sixth sense, Jon usually caught him looking, and Toby tried to cover up his intere
st by rolling his head on his neck as if to relieve tense muscles, or by shifting his gaze to look off into the distance as if contemplating the secrets of the universe. After the fourth time, he simply gave up, met Jon’s eyes and shot him his best smile.

  To his surprise, this time Jon was the first to look away. Toby took extreme satisfaction in the fact that a mere second or two later, Jon’s grey eyes wandered back to his face as if they had a will of their own. A jolt of pure electricity shot through his body when Jon slowly moistened his lower lip, holding Toby’s gaze during the process. Toby smiled again, this time, slow and lazy, stretched his back and shoulders, and then promptly returned to his list of addresses. “Maybe I’m finally making some progress here,” he thought. “Too bad I don’t have the foggiest idea of how to progress things any further.” He concentrated on the next name on the list, refusing to look up, although he could feel Jon’s eyes on him. Instead, he finished writing the zip code, stuffed the invitation into the matching envelope and then, with a sense of pure deviltry, slowly licked the gummed flap and sealed it shut. He ventured a quick glance out of the corner of his eye, and saw Jon give a small stretch of his own, and then run a hand down the long length of his dark braid and tug it gently. Thankfully, Toby caught the small groan threatening to break free as he imagined that dark hair unbound and flowing down over naked shoulders. He sternly commanded himself to get back on task, but try as he might, he was acutely aware of the moment when Jon bent his head down and went back to the work in front of him.

  Lindsi and SarahJune were sitting at Melba’s desk, talking quietly about something or the other. Besides the music playing in the background and the faint scratch of pen on paper, the only other sounds were the tick of the clock behind him and the soft, even breathing coming from the man sitting a few feet away.

  Finally finished with the current list, he ticked off the last name and reached for another sheet, smiling when he saw the name at the top of the page belonged to his Grams. Leave it to Madame Zhou to include friends and family. He quickly wrote out the address and moved to the next item down. It took him a minute to realize what he was writing.