I set out into the town and ignored the curious looks. I had made up my mind. Of course, I had known what the people would say, “She’s going to kill herself,” or “Barron will be the one she marries,” but I did not care, for I was quite beyond that point. I kept my head high and looked straight ahead of myself. I had stopped caring many years ago, being the spectacle of the town. I was truly alone once they had taken my father’s body from me. This time they could not take it away from me, for I had found my perfect companion. He was the same build as my father with a similar complexion as well, he would do. I would get a good night of sleep tonight.
I entered the near-empty drugstore and found the druggist. “I want some poison,” I told him, yet I was met with a blank stare. “I want some poison,” I repeated.
“Yes, Miss Emily. What kind? For rats and such? I’d recom—”
“I want the best you have. I don’t care what kind,” I said, as I had begun to grow impatient. It was at this point I resolved that every person living in this town was incompetent. The man continued to dawdle nervously until I remembered the name. My father had mentioned it before. “Arsenic.”
Upon receiving my poison, I went straight to work. I had already set up his things, I was sure he would appreciate it. I prepared a nice meal, such as a proper woman does. This was going to be my companion’s last meal, it had to be splendid. After cooking for many hours, it was ready. Pot roast with a side of mashed potatoes, topped with arsenic-gravy. I invited my Barron over for dinner and served him the well-prepared meal. He loved the mashed potatoes. He was dead before dessert. I ate my pudding quietly, then got up to prepare for bedtime.
I dragged the man up the stairs as best I could, holding his head so as not to bump it on the steps. Once I got him into the room, I retrieved my father’s old nightclothes. The ones he wore every night. Before they took him away from me. I gently dressed the body in these clothes and lay him to rest on the bed. I tucked him into bed making sure not to disturb my man and got ready for bed.
“The arsenic man was insufferable,” I told him as I changed into my nightclothes, “It seems this entire town wishes to see me alone.” I had a companion once again, no longer the old maid of the town. I had done for myself what no one else ever would. I washed my face, sighing in contentment. I shut the lights and climbed into bed with my lover.
“I love you,” I said, burying my face in his chest. We embraced, and I fell asleep with him stroking my hair.
