"What is that on your skin," Bill asked as I was changing my clothes.
"What? Where?"
I started looking all over, rubbing my skin and swiveling at the hip.
"There. All over your legs and arms."
Bill pointed at me. I looked down and saw I had patches of unusually pink skin everywhere. A rash!
"Maybe you're allergic to something."
I ran to the bathroom where the light is brighter and looked myself over in the mirror. It was everywhere. What was I going to do?
Bill followed me and stood in the threshold looking at my pink skin. "Like I said, maybe it's an allergy."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Did you start using a new laundry detergent or a new soap or perfume or something?"
I thought about it for a minute and started to cry. Sobbing, I ran past him and threw myself on the bed.
"What's the matter?"
I remember what was new. I had bought a new skin lotion that has perfume and makes the skin shimmer.
"I bought it because I thought you'd like it."
Bill sat down beside me and rubbed my back. "Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. I care about you regardless."
I looked up, sniffing. Somehow that made me feel somewhat better. "Thank you. Now can you help me pick out a nice turtleneck?"
