Sidney Sheldon - Are You Afraid Of The Dark

The bus ride to Manhattan took two hours, and Kelly spent that time fantasizing about her future.

She was going to become a professional model. "Kelly Hackworth" did not sound professional.

I know what I'll do. I'll just use my first name. She said it in her mind over and over. And this is our top model, Kelly.

SHE CHECKED INTO a cheap motel, and at nine o'clock, Kelly walked in the front door of the modeling agency at the top of the list Mrs. Houston had given her.

Kelly had no makeup on and was wearing a wrinkled dress, because she had no way to iron her clothes.

There was no one at the reception desk in the lobby. She approached a man sitting in an office, busily writing at a desk.

"Excuse me," Kelly said.

The man grunted something without looking up.

Kelly hesitated. "I wondered if you needed a model." "No," the man muttered, "we're not hiring." Kelly sighed. "Thank you, anyway." She turned to leave.

The man glanced up, and his expression changed. "Wait! Wait a minute. Come back here." He had jumped to his feet. "My God. Where did you come from?" Kelly looked at him, puzzled. "Philadelphia." "I mean-never mind. Have you ever modeled before?" "No." "It doesn't matter. You'll learn it here, on the job." Kelly's throat was suddenly dry. "Does that mean I'm-I'm going to be a model?" He grinned. "I'll say. We have clients who will go crazy when they see you." She could hardly believe it. This was one of the biggest modeling agencies in the business and they"My name is Bill Lerner. I run this agency. What's your name?" This was the moment Kelly had been dreaming of. This was the first time she was going to use her new, one-word professional name. Lerner was staring at her. "Don't you know your name?" Kelly drew herself up to her full height and said confidently, "Of course I do. Kelly Hackworth."

THE SOUND OF the plane buzzing low overhead brought a smile to Lois Reynolds's lips. Gary. He was late. Lois had offered to go to the airport to meet him, but he had said,

"Don't bother, sis. I'll take a taxi."

"But, Gary, I'll be glad to-" "It will be better if you stay home and wait for me there." "Whatever you say, bro."

HER BROTHER HAD always been the most important person in Lois's life. Her growing-up years, in Kelowna, had been a nightmare. From the time Lois was a young girl, she felt that the world was against her: glamour magazines, fashion models, female movie stars-and just because she was a little plump. Where was it written that buxom girls could not be just as beautiful as sickly-looking, skinny girls?

Lois Reynolds would constantly study her reflection in the mirror. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, delicate pale features, and what Lois considered a pleasantly full-figured body.

Men can go around with their beer bellies hanging over their pants and no one says a word. But let a woman put on a few pounds and she's an object of scorn. What male moron had the right to decide that the ideal woman s figure should be 36-26-36?

For as long as Lois could remember, her schoolmates had mocked her behind her back-"fat ass," "tubby," "porky." The words hurt deeply. But Gary had always been there to defend her.

By the time Lois had graduated from the University of Toronto, she had had enough of the teasing.

If Mr. Wonderful is looking for a real woman, I'm here.

AND ONE DAY, unexpectedly, Mr. Wonderful appeared. His name was Henry Lawson.

They met at a church social, and Lois was immediately attracted to him. He was tall, thin, and blond, with a face that seemed always ready to smile and a disposition that matched it. His father was the minister of the church. Lois spent most of her time at the social with Henry, and while they were talking, she learned that he owned a successful nursery and was a nature lover.

"If you're not busy tomorrow night," he said, "I'd like to take you to dinner." There was no hesitation on Lois's part. "Yes, thank you." Henry Lawson took her to the popular Sassafraz, one of the finest restaurants in Toronto. The menu was tantalizing, but Lois ordered a light dinner because she did not want Henry to think she was a gourmand.

Henry noticed that she was eating only a salad and he said, That's not enough for you." "I'm trying to lose weight," Lois lied.

He put his hand over hers. "I don't want you to lose weight, Lois. I like you just the way you are." She felt a sudden thrill. He was the first man who had ever said that to her.

"I'm going to order you a steak, some potatoes, and a Caesar salad," Henry said.

It was so wonderful, finally, to find a man who understood her appetite and approved of it.

THE NEXT FEW weeks went by in a delicious series of dates. At the end of three weeks, Henry said, "I love you, Lois. I want you to be my wife." Words she thought she would never hear. She put her arms around him and said, "I love you, too, Henry. I want to be your wife."

THE WEDDING TOOK place in Henry's father's church five days later. Gary and a few friends were there, and it was a beautiful ceremony, officiated by Henry's father. Lois had never been so happy.

"Where are you two going to honeymoon?" Reverend Lawson asked.

"Lake Louise," Henry said. "It's very romantic." "That's perfect for a honeymoon." Henry put his arms around Lois. "I expect every day to be a honeymoon for the rest of our lives." Lois was ecstatic.

IMMEDIATELYAFTER THE wedding, they left for Lake Louise. It was a spectacular oasis in Banff National Park, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

They arrived in the late afternoon with the sun sparkling over the lake.

Henry took Lois in his arms. "Are you hungry?" She looked into his eyes and smiled. "No." "Neither am I. Why don't we get undressed?" "Oh, yes, darling." Two minutes later, they were in bed and Henry was making exquisite love to her.

It was wonderful. Exhausting. Exhilarating.

"Oh, darling, I love you so much." "I love you, too, Lois," Henry said. He stood up. "Now we must fight carnal sin." Lois looked at him, confused. "What?" "Get on your knees." She laughed. "Aren't you tired, darling?" "Get on your knees." She smiled. "All right." She got on her knees and watched, puzzled, as Henry took a large belt from his trousers. He walked up to her, and before she realized what was happening, he smashed the belt hard against her naked buttocks.

Lois screamed and started to get up. "What are you-?" He shoved her down. "I told you, darling. We must fight carnal sin." He raised the belt and struck her again.

"Stop it! Stop it!" "Stay there." His voice was filled with fervor.

Lois fought to get up, but Henry held her down with one strong hand and slammed the belt against her again.

Lois felt as though her backside had been flayed. "Henry! My God! Stop it!" Finally Henry stood up and took a deep, quivery breath. "It's all right now." It was difficult for Lois to move. She could feel the open sores oozing. She painfully managed to get to her feet. She couldn't speak. She could only stare in horror at her husband.

"Sex is sinful. We must fight temptation." She shook her head, still speechless, still not believing what had just happened.

"Think of Adam and Eve, the beginning of the downfall of mankind." He went on.

Lois began to weep, huge gulping sobs.

"It's all right now." He took Lois in his arms. "It's all right. I love you." Lois said uncertainly, "I love you, too, but-" "Don't worry. We have conquered it." Which means that will be the last time that happens, Lois thought. It probably has something to do with his being a minister's son. Thank God it's over.