Tallman Pg. 3

She really didn’t think she’d enjoy it at all, but she must have said something right because Vivian smiled. She asked Isabel a few more questions about her waitressing jobs, and computer skills.

“Well, Isabel, even though you don’t have very much sales experience, you seem to be what we’re looking for.”

This surprised her, since Isabel was sure she was not at all what they were looking for. Vivian saw the doubt on her face and added,

“Louisa spoke very highly of you. Of course, we’re going to have to help you out a little with your makeup application and sales skills, and you’ll have to study our Product Handbook to learn all about our cosmetics line.”

She set a pamphlet in front of Isabel titled Welcome to the Chéri Family. Isabel didn’t know what to say. Vivian smiled again, and Isabel tried not to look at the lipstick on her teeth.

“Can you start next Monday, at nine o’clock? The store opens at ten, but that will leave some time for Louisa to show you the ropes.”

Isabel nodded. Vivian stuck out her hand, which looked slightly masculine and rough, despite the fake acrylic nails and diamond rings on almost every finger. Isabel shook it, and realized she still hadn’t said anything.

“Thank you.” She mumbled.

Vivian got up from her desk, so Isabel stood and followed her back to the counter. Louisa was arranging bottles of perfume in a glass case. She hurried over to meet them when she saw them approach.

“Louisa, I’ve hired your cousin, but she’s going to need a lot of training help from you.”

“Of course—no problem.” Louisa was beaming at Isabel.

Vivian turned to Isabel and asked, “Do you have a lot of Chéri makeup at home?”

“Not really, most of my makeup is from the drugstore.”

Vivian frowned.

“Well, that’s all right. Louisa, give Isabel a set of new testers and skincare to start her out. Isabel, when you come in next week I’d like Louisa to help you with your makeup, okay?”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Welcome to the team.”

Vivian went back to her office, leaving her alone with Louisa. She opened a drawer behind the counter. She took out a shiny black gift bag, labeled “Chéri” in gold letters, and began filling it up with handfuls of makeup and skincare products.

“These are all brand-new testers, like the ones on the counter, only they’ve never been used. They are not real Chéri products, just testers—so you can’t try to return them at another store for cash.”

“Oh I wouldn’t—why would anyone do that?’

Louisa held up a little jar with a gold lid.

“Because one ounce of this eye cream costs $120.”

“Oh.”

She tossed it to Isabel, who could see the word “tester” imprinted into the plastic on the side of the jar. She had no idea that cosmetics could be so expensive. She was speechless as Louisa finished filling the bag, listing the prices of each item as she dropped it in. Isabel was glad Louisa’s back was to her at this point, so she couldn’t see her reaction. Her mouth was hanging open. Isabel looked at the rows of makeup lined up inside the glass cases while doing quick math equations in her head, trying to add up how much it was all worth. It was unbelievable. Louisa handed her the heavy bag and gave her a quick hug.

“I guess I’ll see you next week, Louisa.”

“Yes. I’m so happy for you! Oh—I almost forgot, you have to wear panty hose. It’s the store’s dress code. Don’t forget.”

Panty hose? She didn’t own any, and had only ever seen her grandmother wear them. She wondered what color she should wear. Louisa’s stockings were an unnatural flesh-toned hue. Isabel wanted to ask more questions but Louisa went into the stockroom without another word, so she left.

At four the next morning every light in the apartment came on, waking Isabel. The old fan on the counter was on full blast, oscillating slowly and making the candles she’d lit earlier flicker wildly. The electricity was on. She hadn’t paid for it to be turned on, so she assumed Louisa or her mother had something to do with it. With all the lights on, the apartment seemed too bright, the mess more obvious. She got up out of the closet and turned off the lights, but left the fan on.

Then she couldn’t go back to sleep, so she rummaged around in another box and found her old answering machine and telephone. She plugged them in, pushed the “Play” button, and almost didn’t recognize her own voice when it came out of the machine:

“Hi! This is Isabel, but I’m not home right now. Please leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Have a great day!”

The voice sounded cheerful, happy. She had left that message a year earlier, sitting on the orange couch in the bright living room of her old apartment with Joseph. He was sticking out his tongue and making faces at her to try to make her laugh while she recorded it. Now she stared at the little gray answering machine and didn’t know what to say into it. She pushed “Record”. A little red light flashed, but she didn’t say anything. It beeped and stopped flashing, and then played back the white noise of the silence she’d recorded. She pushed “Record” again. The red light flashed.

“Hi,” Isabel said slowly, then cleared her throat. Then nothing. She jumped when the machine played back her own voice: “Hi…ahem…” The voice sounded quiet, raspy. Nothing like the voice she’d heard in the first message. It really doesn’t matter, she thought, no one but Louisa has my new phone number, anyway. She picked up her most recently purchased vodka bottle, but it was empty. She went back to the closet and tried to get comfortable on the lumpy blankets, falling asleep watching the flame flickering behind the Virgin Mary’s shining head.

She was woken up again at around ten. Bang bang bang. She jumped out of the closet and stumbled to the door, wondering why Louisa was at her apartment on a Tuesday. She swung the door open and was greeted with a waft of patchouli mixed with the unmistakable tinge of marijuana smoke. Andrew was standing there. The instant she saw him she realized she’d answered the door without a shirt on again. He stared at her, speechless. She quickly tried to cover her small breasts with her hands.

“Hi Andrew. Hold on a sec, okay?”

She partially shut the door and searched the floor for clothing, wondering what Andrew wanted this time. After pulling on a t-shirt she went back to the door. He was still blushing.

“Uh, I’m sorry for waking you up. Do you always answer the door topless?”

“I thought you were my cousin.”

“You must have a really close family.”

“Not really. What do you want?”

He glanced past her into the apartment and said, “I was checking to make sure your electricity got turned on. I told my uncle you were living in the dark up here, and he had the power turned on in his name. It’ll just be added to his bill, so you can pay him back later.”

Isabel wasn’t sure what to say. She couldn’t tell if he was trying to be nice or just trying to impress her. In the clear morning light Andrew looked younger than he’d seemed the first time she’d seen him. Maybe as young as nineteen or twenty. His eyes were red-rimmed and a little squinty. He was obviously very stoned.

“Thanks, Andrew. You didn’t have to do that. I was going to get it turned on…”

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