THE PERFECT ILLUSION

fingertips. I increased my speed and let my long hair flow behind me as my heart slowed to a steady, relaxing rhythm. The

e. I had found my heaven. I h

ti

ained down from above. I covered my head and tried

ttacked numerous

me. And it was massive! My eyes expanded into fearful saucers as I stared up in sick horror. The monster extended

...w

m above. A predicted sliding thunk jarred the rafters, causing me to moan. Mrs. Lub

it we

" You are a stupid, careless gi

. It was not simple to find affordable housing in East Hollywood. Some awful concessions have to be made. Mrs. Lubanski's early morning Zumba was only the tip of the iceberg.

absolutely no noti

vior," aka did I mention there was no air-conditioning?-shot all my hair back like I'd been shocked, and I was qu

they said, "trying to make it in

would be a knockout, a celebrity. But, for whatever reason, in this city founded on the parking tic

ed, but not puffy. Dark rings had already faded. Not terrible after a night of bing

ng turned down at the casting because the coveted two-line role had been filled sometime during the six hours we were standing in line), we'd get together over a bottle of tequil

the bathroom let me know she wa

walked out into the hall. Nimbus, our three-legged cat, staggered by me, chasing a Tasmanian twister of

you what. "I will

ilk onto a dish and laid it

at my roommate picked up. We had no idea if he had been in an accident, but we love

I gently knocked on the

that sounded just like our cat. The toilet flushed, the sink ran,

time," she lament

s expected to. "Well,

think about work a

The typical response of a

bitingly. "I wish I coul

clammy cheek on the cool tiles on the floor. It was a comfort maneuver that both of

mbus that wa

other shoe. "I gotta g

's phone number last

ut a bi

it up again?

suppose that was too profound for him. But I'm concerned about the woman. She's been my patient for m

n't the way to go when

ard. "You're p

ng the end. And it's wonderful that you show them so m

to every single o

rstanding man. I am going to find you the most unde

e blind

are your thoughts? There's Damien. He still lives

inging by the store on my w

yes. Get some more of the caramel treats we had

I've got to run." I slapped my hand against the door. "Feel better-I'

ha

ted.

uila on

ady t