Page 146 of Good Girls Lie

Done.

She comes back and settles in again. Goes through her whole flight-nap routine, dabbing on ChapStick, spreading the pashmina across her lean legs, pulling out the sleep mask, putting in the earbuds.

I play along, yawning and primping, as well, showing off a gold crown I had placed when I scraped together enough cash. That big open spot always bothered me.

The helpful flight attendant comes by one last time with herit’s sleepy timebottle raised high. We chat for a few moments. I’d love a chocolate, thank you, no, no more wine for me.

There is a small kerfuffle to my left—oh, God, is it happening already?—but I see she’s only dropped her ChapStick. The flight attendant retrieves it, offers the bottle.

To my unerring delight, she swallows half the glass, takes a top-off of wine, stretches and sighs heavily, kittenish, and speaks.

“Ah. So tired. Wake me when we’re landing, won’t you?”

She smiles. Looks me right in the eyes and slides on her sleep mask.

When she disappears behind the black faux fur, I take a celebratory gulp of my wine, then another.

“Cheers.”

Cheers, I say to her quiet figure.

Cheers, I say to my old life.

Cheers, I say to the future. It’s time for me to take back my life.

And something starts to claw at the back of my throat.

Spots. I’m seeing spots.

My breath slows, hitching in my chest.

Oh, God. Oh, God. What’s happen—

89

THE LAST

She looks so sweet, asleep like this, with her mouth slightly open, her head turned to the side. I remember when she used to look like this, innocent in repose.

With a last smile to the flight attendant, I slip on my red-soled heels, my black sunglasses, and don my coat. I gather my carry-on from the overhead, stuff my pashmina in my tote, and she doesn’t move. Still asleep. Precious princess.

Just another woman on a plane. Though forever asleep.

I leave the plane, walk up the Jetway, breath coming in tiny little sips. A hand moves to the small brand under my left breast, riding high on my rib cage, and I remember a girl with forest-green eyes and soft, silky lips.This was for you.

No one stops me. No calls. No screams.

I exit the terminal, hand my carry-on to the driver, slide into the back of my town car, and am off to the May Fair Hotel.

I don’t look back.

Yes, I knew it was her. Yes, I suspected what she had planned. She’s been stalking me for months. Listening. Watching.

Yes, I saw what she did when I went to the loo.

Yes, I swapped the wineglasses back when they were looking for my ChapStick.

She ruined my entire life. I refuse to let her take it, too. I had to protect myself.

And really, she did this to herself.

What? You disapprove? Do you actually blame me?

No, you don’t. You’d do the same if you had to.

Happy birthday to me. I am finally, finally free.

* * * * *