He was back now, standing in front of her, stooping down to pick up the leash, then turned around and said “Follow me.” He walked fast and she felt the collar tugging against her neck as she struggled to keep up with him. She glanced up and saw that with his other hand he was carrying the hanger with the dress over his shoulder. As she walked she stared at the dress, the red dress she had worn to the theater. She recalled trying it on for the first time, admiring herself in the mirror, thinking how pretty she looked. Manny had bought it for her not long ago so she could accompany him to an upscale party. It had rather dazzled her. She fell into conversation with an older woman who introduced her to someone as “Manny’s girlfriend”. She had felt a burst of pride; she was indeed the girlfrien
