Horse Teeth

She considered herself a fair person. To be fair, sometimes she was quick to judge others. But she always and immediately made an effort to define some circumstance or defense that would excuse the other’s actions or viewpoint. This way, she was sure to have looked at both sides of the issue at hand, and have talked herself out of some catty dislike. She could be sure to tackle an argument, rather than an idiot. All in all, it was one of those automatic processes that kept her from saying or doing something that she would regret later. Most of the time.

Horse Teeth was the one woman who defied the system, and could not receive her benefit of the doubt. It was not always like this, but the combination of her abject rudeness, brown nosing, and refusal to go away or leave her alone became unbearable. But still, standing in front of the door to Horse Teeth’s apartment, she mustered up an I-hope-it-pains-you-that-I’ve-condescended-to come-to-your-party smile.

When the door opened, she had to congratulate herself that ‘Horse Teeth’ was definitely an apt sobriquet. Horse Teeth stood there with a smile as stiff and fake as her invitation to this party. Her smile exaggerating her large, flat, and wide teeth until took up half of her face. Horse Teeth had a stubby, ordinary nose and two round, black, beady eyes that were unflatteringly magnified by her circular glasses. She would have had a dumpy build if she wasn’t so tall, so she was a solid rectangle instead of a perfect square. Her attempt at a cocktail dress ended at the white rose in her straight, dull black hair.

“You’re here,” was all Horse Teeth said.

“Analynne. “ She kept her voice flat so it wouldn’t betray her anger and suspicion.

“For my part, I wasn’t expecting you. “ Horse Teeth said eyeing her up and down. “And who would have expected that, after everything, you’d clean up so well.” Horse Teeth leaned toward her so she could smell the red wine already on her breath. “You don’t even have bags under your eyes.”

She bit her tongue to keep from biting Horse Teeth’s nose.

“Since you are here, you might as well come in, “ Horse Teeth pulled a white rose from a vase in the corner of the small foyer and thrust it at her. “You need this. It’s a surprise for later.” The wooden smile turned wicked as Horse Teeth opened a door off to the right and stepped aside, allowing her guest to pass through.

She paused a moment, fought the tears and bile welling up simultaneously, and stepped into the last place she would willingly go. She made a mental note to later feel smug that the door to Horse Teeth’s apartment looked more like a coat closet than a respectable front door.

For now, however, she needed to remember that she needed to be here. Two days ago, from too far away, she watched a blond man firmly assist her husband into a sedan. This morning, one thought pulled her back into the world. She remembered the only other time she saw the blond man was in the halls of the University, laughing quietly with Horse Teeth.