Up-and-Comer

She gagged a little when she saw the lobster on her plate. Its pointy legs were skinnier than hers. Its reddened shell outshined her blush. Its beady eyes were darker than the sequins on her Versace dress. And it resembled one of her co-workers: the fresh, appetizing one, the one everyone loves. The one everyone thinks is so delicious. The up-and-comer who speaks in that adorable accent.

The woman's boyfriend, an Italian man who sat at the opposite end of the table, unfolded his napkin and dabbed his lips. He took a sip of wine and began to talk about the current uprising in Egypt.

"Americans think they have to stick their noses in everything," he said. He held up his glass and motioned for a waiter to come refill it.

"Mmm," she said.

"They need to mind their own business. You know what I think they should do?" The waiter picked up the bottle of Chianti on the table and poured some for the Italian man.

"Sure," she said.

Her heartbeat sped up. One of her small, clammy hands covered her mouth as the other began working its way around her neck. All she could see were those eight walking-legs with their bristled hairs and pincers. And the two front claws, the crusher and cutter. If she could take off its shell maybe everyone would see how pale it was.

**

She locked the bathroom door and looked into the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her: the tiny mole beneath her right earlobe, her soon-to-be wrinkling forehead, and her diamond earrings that were purchased last season. She tried to throw up.

**

When she returned, the up-and-comer was sitting in a chair next to her boyfriend. The up-and-comer wore what was on the catwalk along with the latest diamond earrings. The up-and-comer and the Italian man smiled at her.

"Aberto told me you got the cover," said the up-and-comer. "I couldn't wait to see you. Congratulations!"

The woman opened her arms to the up-and-comer and said, "God, I could slurp you up!"

Jason Gordy Walker lives in Birmingham, Alabama where he attends college, experiments with cooking, and writes poetry and fiction. He is thankful for your time and consideration.