Chapter 28Carla slipped back into the bedroom and regarded herself in the mirror. Could she really have just turned thirty last September? The navy-blue dress hung on her, emphasizing a thinness that was neither glamorous nor fashionable, but unhealthy. Her legs had no definition; her stockings had runs. Even though she’d applied mascara, blush, and lipstick, the yellowish-white pallor of her skin was apparent. She had thought that pulling back her oily dark hair would help hide the lack of shampoo and attention, but now, looking in the mirror closely, she realized she was wrong.
She lit another Virginia Slim and exhaled the smoke at her reflection, obscuring it. I’m not going on a goddamn date, for chrissakes…just a trip to the friendly police station.
And with that thought, she shivere
