NOON HAD FOLLOWED THEM THERE. WATCHED THEM LEAVE Dani’s apartment that morning. Followed them to the department store. Watched her pick out clothes. Watched her disappear into the dressing room.
He was loitering in the lingerie section. Waiting for the attendant to leave her desk.
Can I help you with something? a young lady said.
She appeared behind him. Noon looked at her. He had his ball cap pulled low. His eyes were cold and blue. She could look at them only for a short moment.
What was that you asked me? Noon said.
If you needed any help, she said. You need help with anything?
Why would I need help?
Sometimes men have questions.
Questions about what?
About what to pick out for their sweetheart.
Who said anything about a sweetheart?
I’m sorry, sir. She looked around. Is there something you had in mind?
In mind?
Yes, she said. There must’ve been something you were looking for?
Who said I was looking for anything?
I didn’t mean anything by it. Just thought maybe you were looking for a gift of some kind?
You ask a lot of questions, Noon said.
Her eyes shot around. Hoping for something to bring a respite.
Sir, she said, if I upset you somehow, I apologize.
If you didn’t know what you said then why would you feel the need to apologize? Do you apologize for things that you are not sorry for often? Is that a habit of yours?
The girl was silent. She bit her upper lip. She looked at the ground. She looked at the register. She looked for anyone else.
What is your name? he asked.
My name?
Yes.
Eunice, she said.
Eunice.
Yes.
That’s an old-fashioned name.
It was my grandmother’s.
Was she a nice lady?
Yes.
That’s good. I have always wondered why a parent would give a newborn an old name.
I guess it’s out of respect, Eunice said.
Respect.
Maybe.
Maybe?
Listen, sir, I need to see to the other customers.
Noon looked around. The store was empty. Only the attendant reading a magazine by the dressing room.
What customers? Noon said.
There are a few things I need to do in the back.
Do you need to see to customers, Noon said. Or do something in the back?
Sir, she said, I don’t know what you’re asking. But let me know if you need anything.
You already know the answer to that. That’s why you came over here in the first place.
Okay, she said.
She started to walk away but he said her name.
Yes?
How old are you? he asked.
Nineteen.
Nineteen.
Yes.
It’s the perfect age, Noon said. Isn’t it.
I suppose.
Are you in school?
I go to the community college.
Uh-huh, Noon said. What is your focus?
My focus?
Of study. What are you studying?
Costume design.
Costume design. I see. You enjoy make-believe then?
I suppose, she said.
He lifted a black balconette bra from the rack and held it up.
Can I take this into the dressing room? he asked.
The balconette?
Yes.
I don’t know why you’d want to.
To see what it would look like, he said.
That’s for a girl, she said.
You’re a girl, he said.
What I mean is, there wouldn’t be anyone to try it on.
Who’s to say I wouldn’t try it on?
Would you?
No, he said. It’s made for a woman after all. You said so yourself. Do I look like a woman?
No, she said.
But you are, Noon said.
Yes.
If I asked you to try this on for me, would you?
I could put it on a mannequin, she said, if you’d like.
I don’t want to see it on a mannequin, he said. I want to see it on you.
She had been taking slow steps back, by the inch. Trying her best.
I’m afraid I can’t, she said. It’s against policy.
What policy is that?
Store, she said. Store’s policy.
I would think the policy of the store is to sell. Wouldn’t you? There was a noise by the attendant station and Noon and Eunice looked and Noon saw Dani and Ruby coming from the dressing room with the clothes piled in their arms. Dani gave the key back to the attendant and they walked to the register. Ruby spilled the clothes onto the counter and the attendant rang them up and folded them and slipped them into paper bags and then they left the store.
Suddenly Noon smiled. He took a deep breath. He made a sound like he’d just finished a good meal.
Of course, he said. You’re right. I don’t want to break policy. Nor get you in trouble.
He put the balconette back on the rack.
You have been very helpful, Eunice. I won’t forget that.
He turned to leave. When he was at the door he turned back and waved delicately to Eunice and then walked out the door. The woman began to suck air like she hadn’t taken a breath in a very long time.