Blood Games

    ‘She’s right,’ Cora said. ‘In spite of all the psychological matters involved, what it comes down to is a simple matter of calorie intake. Eat less, exercise, and you’ll lose weight.’

    ‘I know all that.’

    ‘Easier said than done,’ Abilene said.

    ‘Right,’ Helen said. And leaned forward. And poked her fork into the last hot dog sizzling on the skillet. And, not bothering with a bun, guided the frank toward her mouth.

    Abilene grabbed her wrist.

    ‘Hey,’ Helen said.

    ‘Do you really want to eat that?’

    ‘Does somebody else want it?’

    The others shook their heads.

    ‘Then it’ll just go to waste.’

    ‘Eat it,’ Finley said, ‘and it’ll go to your waist.’

    ‘Very funny.’

    ‘She’s right,’ Cora said. ‘Look, why don’t you let us help you? The flight home isn’t for five more days. I’ll bet you could lose seven or eight pounds by then.’

    Abilene plucked the hot dog off the tines of Helen’s fork, bit off its end, and passed it to Finley.

    ‘Real cute,’ Helen muttered as Finley took a bite.

    ‘We’re helping you,’ Finley said with a mouthful. She handed the remaining half of the hot dog to Cora.

    ‘Whether you like it or not,’ Cora said, bit, and passed the stub to Vivian.

    Vivian popped it into her mouth.

    ‘This is a vacation,' Helen protested. ‘How’m I supposed to have fun if I’m starving?’

    ‘You won’t starve,’ Cora told her.

    ‘Besides,’ Abilene said, it’s not really a vacation, it’s an adventure.’

    it’s my adventure. And it is a vacation. You don’t diet when you’re on vacation.’

    ‘You do,’ Cora said. ‘Starting right now.’ it won’t make any difference.’

    ‘Sure it will,’ Abilene said, if you lose a few pounds, you’ll feel a lot better about yourself.’ it won’t even show.’

    ‘Sure it will.’

    ‘It’s a start,’ Abilene said. ‘By the time you step aboard that jet in Burlington, you’ll know that you can lose weight. All you’ve gotta do is keep at it.’

    ‘Pretty soon,’ Finley said, ‘Frank’ll be calling you “slim.” ’

    ‘I’ve got an idea,’ Vivian said. ‘Helen has a point about how losing a few pounds won’t show all that much on her.’ She faced Helen, narrowed her eyes. ‘Is there any reason you have to get back to Portland right away?’

    Helen shrugged. ‘I don’t guess so.’

    ‘Then why don’t we change your ticket? You can fly back to L.A. with me. I’ve got a guest room in my condo. You can spend a couple of weeks - a couple of months - whatever it takes. Stay as long as you want. We’ll get that weight off you. By the time Frank sees you again, you’ll be looking terrific.’

    ‘That’s a great idea!’ Cora said.

    ‘I don’t know,’ Helen muttered.

    ‘Come on. We’ll have a great time.’

    ‘You don’t want me in the way.’

    ‘You wouldn’t be in the way of anything. It’ll be fun to have you around. I’ll keep my schedule light. We can go to Disneyland, Knotts, do the Universal tour.’

    ‘Don’t forget the wax museums,’ Finley added. ‘I know two of them with terrific Chambers of Horror. She’d love ’em. Hell, I could take her to those.’

    ‘Yeah. Fin’s only a half hour drive from my place. We can show you around together.’

    ‘This is sounding better and better,’ Abilene said. ‘Wish I could come along.’

    ‘Do,’ Vivian told her.

    ‘Can’t. I’ve got a graduate seminar in Dickens that starts in a couple of weeks. Besides, Harris would start climbing the walls.’ Cora huffed. ‘See what I mean about being tied down?’

    ‘Okay. Put it this way. I’d start climbing the walls. I’d miss him too much.’

    ‘How about you?’ Vivian asked Cora.

    ‘No way. Me in L.A.? Crowds, traffic, smog, earthquakes? Not a chance.’

    Finley chuckled. ‘She’s just afraid Tony might put his foot down.’

    ‘Bull. Tony has nothing to do with it. I’d have to be nuts to spend time in L.A. when I can be home in Aspen.’

    ‘Good point,’ Abilene said.

    ‘I don’t think I should do it, anyway,’ Helen said. ‘I mean, I appreciate the offer. I really do. But… even if I can lose enough weight to make any difference…’

    ‘You can,’ Vivian assured her. ‘I know you can.’

    ‘It’d take a long time.’

    ‘So?’ Cora said.

    ‘Frank…’

    ‘Screw Frank,’ Finley said.

    ‘You’re miserable with him, anyway,’ Abilene pointed out. ‘For Godsake, go with Vivian. It’s a great opportunity. Lose some of that weight. Lose it, and then go back to Frank. If he doesn’t start treating you right, forget him.’

    ‘Dump his sorry ass,’ Finley said.

    Helen grimaced. ‘I don’t know.’

    ‘You don’t have to make up your mind right this instant,’ Vivian told her. ‘Just think about it, okay?’

    ‘And in the meantime,’ Cora said, ‘we’ll see to it that you knock off a few pounds while we’re here.’

    ‘I guess… it wouldn’t hurt to think about it.’

    ‘Great,’ Finley said. ‘Now. What’s for dessert?’

    She was seated on the floor between Abilene and Cora. They both struck out. Cora, quicker, hit her first. The two rough, open-handed shoves rocked her from side to side.

    ‘Hey hey hey! Easy on the merchandise! I was just kidding, for Godsake!’

    Helen sighed. ‘Remember those sundaes they had at the Delight?’

    ‘Oh, they were great,’ Finley said.