20080404

CREAMED photons

Will led ______ to the car. Once he got a seatbelt on her, he drove toward Arlington, past the Pentagon, which was shrouded in fog and light. They arrived at the opulent shopping mall at Pentagon City, and he parked in a multi‑level lot not unlike the one he'd found her in. If it sparked any memories for her, she gave no hint. He led her through the cold air to Nordstrom's entrance and pulled open the heavy glass door for her. They walked into the store, greeted by marble, oak, glass, piano music. They wound their way through people, ______ clutching Will's hand and staring up at the mannequins they passed. When they neared the tuxedoed piano player by the escalators she pursed her lips and howled softly with the music. The man's brow furrowed.

Will took her to the Gap and Banana Republic. Envisioning what might happen if he sent her to a dressing room alone, he guessed her sizes and bought her jeans, t‑shirts, a black leather jacket. He put it all on his MasterCard. Everywhere they went people