Days in a Life

Janet

The way I met Janet is a funny story. But, hey, Janet's a funny girl. One week after

I graduated from college, I moved to New York City and found a nice, cheap apartment to live in, It was one bedroom, two bathroom, and on the second floor of quaint little cafe. That's where I met Janet. I sat down for my morning cup of hot chocolate, when I saw a woman that looked exactly like me walk into the cafe and order the exact same drink that I order every morning. Then, the same thing happened again. Another woman that could have been my twin walked in and ordered a hot chocolate. After this had happened four more times I couldn't take it anymore. I was about to stand up and start yelling when a yet another twin walked in. But this twin was different. She was wearing a shirt that was every variation of the colors orange, red, and yellow that you can possibly think of, tucked into a pair of coal black jeans. She also wore bright yellow converse high tops and she had long, very wavy, black hair just like mine slipped under a fiery red headband. Her eyes were bright and blue. Just like mine. She suddenly turned these eyes on me.

She was still looking at me when she snapped her fingers and said,

"Girls, take off the masks. We have her." I watched in horror as my twins reached up to their faces and started peeling. Except the Fire Woman. She just stood there, watching the faces falling off of my twins. Their flesh slipped off of their faces as if it was made of rubber.

"Masks?" I cried angrily. "Look woman, I don't know what your deal is, but I want to know why in the world you are doing this to me!"

"Well, I see you in this cafe every morning. You are one boring young woman. I'm here to spice up your life! My name is Janet Havens, and I am the Paprika of New York City!" She stood in the middle of the cafe with her hands above her head, as if there was about to be a standing ovation. The only ones applauding were my fake twins.

"Take off your mask." I said, still standing in the darkened corner of my table.

"What mask?" She asked. I ran up to my apartment and double bolted the door.