Macy's Department Store

  Castleton

  Gabrielle peeks her head out of the dressing room and waves in Madison's direction. Madison is thoroughly preoccupied, adjusting James Junior in his baby sling.

  "Psst, Madison. Madison, come here," Gabrielle whispers.

  Madison finally takes notice of her new friend's excited beckoning and makes her way towards the far dressing room door. Gabrielle opens the door wider, once Madison's body is partially blocking the view of the door.

  "What do you think?" Gabrielle gushes, modeling her newest article of lingerie.

  Madison's face reddens and she struggles not to look away. If only she had Gabrielle's confidence. Madison nods in appreciation, but doesn't say a word.

  Every time she and James make love, Madison can't help but feel his eyes all over her body. His mouth always says one thing, and does another--all good things. But Madison can't help but wonder if what James tells her is the truth. Is he happy with what he sees? Or is he just being kind?

  Samantha Mackey had been easily as beautiful as each of the Aquarius Killer's victims. Simply staring at the late love of James' life is enough to send Madison into a nervous spell. He won't sell the house because he still loves Samantha. He loves having a place to imagine being with her. He wants his beautiful wife back. Failing that, he has decided on her. The poor, sad almost victim of a sadist killer.

  "You look very nice," Madison says, tears choking her voice. "You're gorgeous."

  "Uh oh," Gabrielle says, placing both hands on her hips. "What's the matter? I can tell something is getting you down, Madison? What is it? Come on. Tell ole Gabrielle. I'm listening."

  Madison glances away from the dressing rooms, grateful that the store is practically empty. Gabrielle's lack of discretion, in regards to her worldly goods, gives the young mother second-hand embarrassment.

  "I wish....I wish I could look half that good in lingerie. I mean...I don't think I look terrible...Or even bad. But you look...A lot better, Gabrielle. You look beautiful."

  "Thank you, Madison," Gabrielle exclaims. "That means a lot to me. It really does."

  Gabrielle quickly drops one hand from her hip, grinning like a mischievous imp. She points a finger at Madison and wags it playfully.

  "Have you ever worn lingerie? I mean...This kind of lingerie?"

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  "Well, no--," Madison begins. "I...I haven't."

  "Then, how do you know how good...Or bad...You'd look in it?" Gabrielle counters.

  "I just know. Me and James....We don't have a whole lot of time together. So, I make the most of what little time we do have. Not a whole lot of foreplay involved. Well, not all the time. I doubt I'd ever wear it more than once."

  "Ha. Shows how much you know, Honey," Gabrielle quips. "Lingerie is for women...What crack is to a crackhead. Once you get a taste...You never let it go. The night I got pregnant with my son...Was the first night I ever wore lingerie. Me and my ex had just had a big fight. I left in a huff. Sort of to clear my head. I walked around in an old department store...A lot nicer than this one...For hours. Trying to convince myself that our huge argument wasn't my fault. Came to the conclusion I didn't care. I bought everything I'd need to make the night wonderful. Once Ruben saw me in my lingerie...It took less than three minutes for us to end up in the bedroom. Best sex we ever had. Lingerie can make every fantasy you've ever had come true. If you really want it to. But then again, my ex was a dog. Mmmm. That's why he's my ex."

  Gabrielle stops talking and looks Madison over. She squints while pursing her lips together. Tapping a painted finger against her top lip, Gabrielle finishes her examination with a suction sound on her teeth.

  "What cup size are you, anyway?" Gabrielle inquires in all seriousness.

  "Huh? Um...What?" Madison stammers. "I don't....I don't really know. I usually just wear whatever fits. You can't believe half of the sizes you see anymore."

  "Mmmmm," Gabrielle says again. "I did read somewhere that sixty percent of women have no idea what their cup size is. Makes it very hard to play up your form. You need to see a tailor. I might even be able to hook you up. You have a wonderful body, Madison. You just need a little help to make her shine."

  "Huh. No," Madison protests, unconsciously stroking the top of her sleeping newborn's head. "I mean, I'm fine. I'm not trying...To shine, Gabrielle. I'm a happily married woman. Why would I need to do that?"

  "Oh...Madison, Madison, Madison," Gabrielle coos. "Don't you understand? Happy wife...Happy Life. And that includes in everything. Work...Home...In the bedroom. You want James to forget his late ex? You want him to move on? You want that house of old memories to finally end up on the market? I assume you do. Give him a reason to move on. Or two."

  An even slyer grin turns up the corners of Gabrielle's glossy lips. Madison meets the slightly younger woman's eyes with a weary expression, rubbing one hand down Jamie Junior's tiny covered back.

  "I don't want to hurt James," Madison says in a soft voice. "I sympathize with him...And the love he had with Samantha. I don't want him to make a rash decision which might hurt our relationship. I want him to move on in his own way. In his own time."

  "You're being far more generous than you should be, Madison. You're a part of this relationship too. You deserve your husband's full attention. You're alive. You have needs and desires as well. You're home all day taking care of his kid. The least he can do is try to move on. To try to be there for you. It's in the best interests of you both. You won't be hurting him. You'll be healing him."

  Gabrielle takes a step forward and places a hand under Madison's chin.

  "You'll be healing your relationship. For the better."

  Madison glances around as an employee enters the area and begins crossing towards the dressing rooms. Gabrielle smiles more widely and steps back into the cubicle. She calmly closes the door, shutting off any view of her barely clothed body.

  "Think about what I said, Madison," Gabrielle states through the closed door. "I'm buying you that gown. As soon as we figure out what cup-size you are. Shouldn't be that hard."