Mary took the bus downtown to meet Dana at Water, a bar with lime green walls, fiberglass floors and lots of modern furniture.
Dana, drunk on Grey Goose, rummaged through her purse and pulled out the card of a campus therapist. Dana said Mary had a problem with men and a poor sense of self-worth. Later, Mary explained the conversation to Pat. She spoke in a slow, clear voice, as if she were issuing a warning.
–She said my neck is getting fat
–That another chin is forming.
–She said my hair makes me look like a dyke.
–She said that I’d never find love because I like black men.
– She said I'm faking it in school because I don't really know what to do with my life.
–She said I'm stupid for going to see Marco. That he hasn't changed a bit.
–She said being a whore isn’t progressive or interesting, it’s just being a whore.
–Well... She says you won't last a week
Pat shook his head to show her he disagreed.
With Dana being Irish too, Pat assumed a sense of national sisterhood bound her to Mary. He had no real opinion of Dana, other than thinking nothing should be that cruel or white. But now Dana served a purpose, bring her up and Mary comes back.
–Why didn’t Dana come?
–She said she didn’t want to see a movie about whores.
–Does she not know?
–I’ve stopped being an escort. Can’t be bothered.
She relaxed her shoulders and staked both armrests.
–What will you do for money?
–I still have my grant money. I’m working at the university library.
The lights dimmed and their faces lit up blue.