“If you call within the next ten minutes, you’ll receive not only the Coat Hanger Deluxe but the Coat Hanger Deluxe Platinum Edition at no additional cost! Just pay shipping and handling.”
“That’s right, Ann, this is an offer you just cannot afford to ignore. These coat hangers have really changed my life. Before, my closets were always so full of clutter, but now, I have so much space! All thanks to the Coat Hanger Deluxe.”
I watched as the two women on the infomercial hurried around the set, trying to gather the materials for their next demonstration. One woman carried a large bundle of jackets in her arms while the other brought over both the Coat Hanger Deluxe and the Coat Hanger Deluxe Platinum Edition.
“Now, look here, I have with me over thirty winter jackets. In a regular closet, they wouldn’t fit, but with the Coat Hanger Deluxe, it’s like magic.”
The older woman whose hairstyle reminded me of a beehive started hanging up the coats, a large, plastered smile on her face. As the camera zoomed in, I could see the caked-on layers of makeup she wore, trying to hide her wrinkles. It must be exhausting working an infomercial, forced to pretend you had all this energy and enthusiasm for a product no one actually needed.
“Remember, if you call now, you’ll receive not only…” The woman’s voice faded as I got up, moving into the kitchen.
I opened the freezer and grabbed a half-empty tub of ice cream. Strange, I had bought this thing like two days ago…
Shrugging, I grabbed a spoon and headed back to the couch.
“I just wanted to say that I ordered the Coat Hanger Deluxe last week and it’s already been a great space saver. My husband had a blast assembling it and I just love how it stores all my coats in such an efficient manner!” The obviously fake caller screamed her words to the world as if the louder she advocated for this product, the more she would be paid.
“You heard it, folks, the Coat Hanger Deluxe will change your life.” The woman with normal hair clapped her hands with every word. “But, you better act fast because they’re selling like hotcakes!” The camera focused on the little counter at the bottom of the screen, indicating how many had been sold, and how many were still left. Despite all their fervor, the counter wasn’t moving all that fast…
I shook my head and pulled the top off my ice cream carton. Grabbing my spoon, I scooped out a bit of Rocky Road, popping it into my mouth. Savoring the taste, I closed my eyes, letting the spoon linger in my mouth before I went in for another bite. By the time I realized what I was doing, the ice cream had all but vanished, with only a few more spoonsful remaining.
Thinking it would be a waste to put away so little, I decided to finish it off. Once I did, however, I felt guilty, knowing I should have had some self-control. Not wanting to look at the container any longer, I got up, throwing it in the trash bin. I was about to take out the garbage when my phone rang. I jumped, forgetting that it was in the pocket of my sweatshirt, the ringtone set on loud. I nearly dropped the trash bag which would have been a disaster, especially since I had just cleaned the kitchen floor.
Carefully, I tied it off, easing it against the bin. I wiped my hands on my yoga pants before I grabbed my phone, seeing my best friend’s name flashing across the screen. “Hello?”
“Amanda, where have you been?”
“Home,” I answered, leaning against the counter, looking out the window where the full moon hung high overhead, illuminating my backyard in a pale glow. The grass was high and unkempt, the shrubs wild and overgrown. These were tasks my husband used to handle, but with him gone, they were neglected and I honestly didn’t have the time nor the energy to tackle such things.
“Girl, you got to get out of that house. It’s been what, six months since the divorce?”
“I don’t need a reminder, Wendy. Plus, is it a crime to spend a Friday night at home?”
“No. But it’s a crime to spend a Friday night at home, watching infomercials and stuffing yourself with ice cream.”
“That’s not what I was doing.” I lied, glancing at the trash bag.
“Come on, we’ve been friends for years. Don’t you think I know when you’re lying? Besides, you always stay home when you’re depressed.”
“Fine. Maybe I’m a little upset about what happened, but who wouldn’t be? I thought David was the love of my life… only to catch him cheating on me with some younger girl –“
Wendy clicked her tongue, cutting me off. “I don’t want to hear it. You aren’t going to spin this sob story on me again. But, I’ll tell you what you’re going to do.” By the giddiness of her voice, I could almost picture the grin on her face. “You’re going out with me tonight, and I don’t care what you say, I’m not taking “no” for an answer, you hear me?”
I sighed. Wendy was a very successful businesswoman who always got her way. I knew there was no point trying to argue with her. “Where are we going?”
“The Fox Den.”
“What’s that?”
“This posh new dance club that just opened up. VIP only, but I managed to snag myself an invite and I’m allowed to bring one other person. And guess what, I’m bringing you.” There was no room for negotiation in her voice.
“Wendy… do I have to? I’m really not feeling up to it.” I tried anyway, praying for a miracle.
“I’m picking you up at ten.” With that, she hung up the phone, leaving me with an hour to get ready for a night I didn’t want to have.
***
To my surprise, the nightclub wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The music was tasteful. There was actually room to dance on the dancefloor. Everything was clear and there wasn’t the lingering stench of smoke that usually clouded clubs.
“This is nice,” I commented, sipping on my martini.
“I knew you’d like it.” She grinned. “But I wish you’d dance with me rather than insisting that we sit here all night.” She crossed one leg over the other, balancing her mojito on her knee. With the exposure of her long, shapely legs, she got a few pointed stares from a couple of men that passed us by, but she didn’t give them a second thought. She was much more interested in the women that paraded around in short skirts and revealing tops.
“I just don’t feel up to it,” I said, reclining back. “It’s like someone’s been sucking the energy right out of me these past couple of months.”
“You really have to get over him. David is the last guy you should be crying about.”
“It’s not just him, Wendy.” I leaned forward, placing my drink on the table in front of us. “It’s everything.”
She raised a well-groomed eyebrow in my direction, questioning my words.
“After the divorce, it was like everything fell apart. There was all the legal paperwork to deal with, the custody battle over Roxie.” I paused, thinking about my beautiful German Shepherd. I was the one who had raised her from puppyhood, but because David was the one that signed the adoption papers and paid for her vaccinations, according to the law, Roxie belonged to him. She was his property.
“You know, you can appeal that decision. I know some pretty killer lawyers that could help you out.” She offered, placing a hand on my knee. “I know how much you loved that dog.”
I shook my head. “I’m not going through all that again.”
“Have you considered getting a new dog? It might do you good, make the house a little less lonely.”
“Wendy, it’s not that easy,” I said, turning to face her. “My life was going so well, and then suddenly, it shattered to pieces. I thought I had the perfect husband, someone who loved and respected me, only to find out it was all just a ruse. Do you know how that feels?”
“No…” She frowned, looking uncomfortable. Distracting herself, she fixed the hem of her dress, avoiding eye contact.
“But, it’s not just the divorce. It’s work too. I’ve been working overtime left and right, but when one of the managers stepped down, I wasn’t even considered for the promotion. They gave the position to some new girl that hadn’t even worked at the firm for three months. I’ve been working there seven years. My salary is nothing compared to what David used to make… it’s been a struggle to maintain the same lifestyle I had before. I know I can downsize… but that would mean letting him win, and I refuse to let that happen.”
Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my curly blonde hair, forgetting I had doused it in hairspray before going out. Cursing under my breath, I knew I had officially messed up my hairdo and there was nothing I could do about it now.
Wendy tried to reach over and help, but I pushed her hand away. It was pointless.
“Isn’t David helping you out?”
“What, with alimony you mean?” I laughed at the thought. “I haven’t seen a single penny of his money since we broke up.”
“You should file a lawsuit against him if that’s the case.”
“I know… I just haven’t had the energy. The mere thought of seeing him, of begging him for money, makes me sick to my stomach.”
“It’s not begging if it’s the law.” She pointed out. “Besides, he was the one who cheated and ruined your marriage. That scumbag should pay every single dime he owes you, plus interest.”
“Yeah… in a perfect world.” I mumbled under my breath. My depression wrapped around my chest like a boa constrictor, threatening to slowly squeeze my heart until it burst. Spotting my unfinished drink on the table, I grabbed it, tilted my head down, and sighed as the warm liquid made its way down my throat, loosening the snake’s grip.
“You might want to go easy on the drinks. That’s your third martini.”
“I’m fine.”
She looked at me with a dubious look. “Your cheeks are rosy.”
“It’s just hot in here.”
“Amanda…”
“Look, Wendy, I don’t know what you want me to do. My life sucks right now. I’m lonely, depressed, and soon enough, I’ll have to sell my house.”
“Look, I know you said that you didn’t get the promotion, but you can still make the mortgage payments, can’t you?”
“The taxes I pay on that thing alone takes out a huge chunk of my salary.”
“Don’t you have money in savings?”
“No. Everything was in David’s name, so the court couldn’t grant me that money even though my paychecks were deposited in those accounts. I mean… I could start selling some of my stuff, like the artwork, or the jewelry… but eventually I’ll run out of money and I have no idea what I’ll do then.”
Wendy looked like she didn’t know what to say, which was unusual since she always had a witty remark to make, no matter the circumstance. “Well, why don’t you try to forget all that, and just have fun tonight?” She nudged me with her elbow. “That hot guy over there has been eyeballing you all night. If you ask me, he’s totally into you.”
“He’s probably looking at you.” I countered, knowing that guys were always attracted to her fierce looks.
“You really need to give yourself more credit. You’re beautiful and he’s totally checking you out. Now, go up there and talk to him. It’ll make you feel better.” Before I could protest, she was already shoving me in his direction.
He was sitting at the bar, all by himself, gazing into his glass as if he had a lot to think about.
I glanced back at Wendy, wondering if I had a chance of getting out of it, but she motioned me forward and kept mouthing “go” until I finally turned my back on her, took a deep breath, and approached the bar.