Summary

Chapter 6: Helen

Helen sits in her office dressed in a blue satin dress for the company party that evening. She hears jokes and snickers around her. The other people in the office, prompted by Kay in accounting, gossip about Helen. Helen pretends not to hear. She pretends that the barbs don’t bother her.

“So she sits, doing work, ignoring the mounting

Whispers and jokes, led by Kay in Accounting.

She’s aware that her dress makes the other girls laugh

As they congregate over the mimeograph.”

The co-workers refer to Helen as the Girl Who Ruined Christmas. Helen got drunk at a holiday party and lashed out at her lover/boss in front of everyone. Helen screamed and wept and ended the evening vomiting in the ladies room.

Helen recalls meeting her boss and being swept away by his charm and good...