Jawbreakers

Eliza dressed to the nines for Rafe’s events, he held her to his side and pictures were taken even though neither of them was big on them. Businessmen of his caliber were the object of paparazzi.

Laughter and small talk filled their entrance. Eliza talked to people who she only saw on these occasions, but who were basically best friends throughout them.

Onica was one of those, they laughed like teenagers while they caught up with each other. Eliza stopped laughing suddenly.

She turned and saw Oscar—and Sally. Quietly, she was pleased that Sally was seeing her all decked out and could see her appearance at her apartment was an aberration. But she did not know what Sally may have said to Oscar about their encounter, so she was wary.

Oscar walked over with Sally, who Eliza had to admit was stunning—as she had been when she visited her. Onica squeezed her hand and walked away, leaving her with Rafe. Oscar kissed her on the cheek, and Eliza was sure she was all colors as Rafe and Sally looked on.

“Have you and Sally met?” Oscar began gesturing for an introduction if needed.

“No,” Sally answered, and Eliza’s eyes widened. What? Why Sally lying?

Oscar pulled Sally to his side,

“This is my Sally,” he beamed holding Sally even closer if it was possible. Sally smiled, and looked at Eliza conspiratorially. Eliza smiled because there was nothing else to do, as she held Rafe’s arm.

“This is my husband, Rafe,” Eliza announced happily. Rafe shook Oscar’s hand, and then Sally’s.

The four of them stood there awkwardly as laughter bounced around them. Onica walked back over to them, and it was clear she picked up on something. She was very observant, and launched into a conversation about her teenage daughter and her escapades. Sally laughed,

“Sounds like my daughter!”

Eliza and Oscar turned to look at her. Her own skills of observation were enough that Eliza could tell Sally had not told Oscar about this daughter.

“Teenagers are a handful!” Onica continued. “This is Michaela.”

Michaela was a gorgeous girl who looked like her mother. Sally fiddled with her phone.

“This is Chloe, when she was a little younger. But this is her Instagram where the real pictures are!”

Eliza saw pictures of a young woman who looked exactly like her mother. Well the younger model looked more carefree, whereas her mother looked stressed and anxious. Oscar stared between the pictures of Chloe and Sally. Eliza wondered at how it was going to end that night for them.

Sally flashed to a picture of Chloe with an impossibly large jawbreaker in her mouth, and could not help but think how that image mirrored so perfectly the current tense situation.

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