Carmelina notices pink lacy material between the couch cushions. Curiosity gets the best of her, and she breaks her embrace with Geronimo. And grabs. Pulls. Pulls again. Until she holds a lacy size 32 panties. And laughs. Because as far as she’s known, he’s always preferred skinny women.
He loves to tell her about the cardboard cutout of a tiny female silhouette that his college roommate created for him. If women could pass through the cutout silhouette, his roommate joked, he’d probably date or sleep with them. If not, they didn’t have a chance.
He didn’t save the cardboard, but he remembers the shape and size of the silhouette. And he professes to Carmelina to have never dated or slept with a woman who couldn’t fit through it. “There’s no need to worry,” he’s told her. “You’d fit just fine.”
*****
Geronimo’s heart sinks. He’s been stealing panties for twelve years, and has often disputed with women or security guards the clear evidence of his addiction. And he’s done so with dexterity, flare, and success every time. But tonight he’s tired. Sick of the lies and misdirection.
“It’s not what you think,” he mumbles. Carmelina laughs because she hasn’t rushed to any judgment. She’s surprised by the sheer size of his mistress, but she expects his infidelity. As he should expect hers.
She’s more interested in his explanation than in any sort of truth. So she rolls her eyes, stands, and crosses her arms. Watches him watching her. Wondering what she’s thinking. And she waits.
What fantasies might he contrive to explain away his extra-large indiscretion? How passionately would he believe his own story? And more importantly, how would she pretend to react? Her response, she knows, will surely depend on his performance. She lets a slight smile slip. Oh, what fun!
*****
Carmelina knows that Geronimo dominates people by creating realities that are more persuasive than the ones they can create for themselves. Whereas most of us live in worlds that we can see, smell, hear, and touch, Geronimo occupies the world that he fabricates. Then he makes sure that the rest of us live in that world too!
It’s a good gig. He’s built his business on fabrications. He’s built his sex life on fabrications. And so on. The more elaborate the fabrication, the better. Because the world is elaborate too. And people want their worlds to be elaborate. And his imagination is compelling.
Yet lately it’s been too much for Geronimo. He’s feeling crushed by the weight of thousands of panties that must continue to accumulate for him to survive. What a depraved story! And he can’t take it any longer…
*****
“I steal women’s panties, Carmelina. I’ve been doing it for a dozen years, and I don’t see an end. This is my water. My cocaine. I need it to live. But it’s killing me!”
Carmelina doesn’t respond. Geronimo continues: “If you want to go, I understand. But don’t go because I slept with a size 32. I didn’t. Go because I’m not the man you think I am. Not as strong. Not as rich. Not as smart. And not as good in bed.”
Carmelina climbs atop Geronimo, kisses his neck, and unbuttons his shirt. “Don’t speak,” she instructs. “I want you to stay like this. Exactly how you are right now!”
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