Chapter Sixteen
“Oh my God!”
“Holy crap, did you see that?”
“Jesus Christ, Gerry, what’s happened to you?”
All the shocked whispers as I entered work Tuesday morning were followed by my boss’ frowning inquiry. Compounding my unwilling humiliation it annoyed me as never before the way people peppered their speech with religious references. This wasn’t some benighted Middle Eastern theocracy after all but a supposed secular republic. Yet our vernacular was rife with Christian tripe. Suppressing my revulsion with difficulty I offered the excuse I’d concocted the day previous while staying home in case my new stigmata faded away as my injuries had. Not a chance: as with my brands, Mistress’ marking of her territory seemed to be permanent.
“The doctors aren’t sure yet. It’s some kind of ra
