The Second Mrs. Astor

by Shana Abe

There are certain people in this world who have the ability to make you feel as if you’re the only person in the universe who matters to them. Whether it’s moment by moment or enough years to count up to a lifetime, they look you in the eyes and smile at you, direct and sincere—and you’re smitten. They draw you into their realm, into their rendering of events and ideas and rituals. Everything they say becomes vitally important. Every action of theirs becomes truth. Sometimes these people are innocents—this is a charisma they were born with; they did not earn it; it’s simply their birthright—and sometimes it is a craft they practice, a manipulation. They set out to entice you, to seduce you, simply because they can—or because they want something in return. It’s hard to tell the difference sometimes.