Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

In came Kathleen, her confidant and best friend who somewhat gave a vibe of envy towards Elaine although the latter reconciled herself that her friend meant well, it was flattering even, for no one envies just a nobody.

Indeed, all the pleasantries were long overdue and as she poured herself a drink, she listened as Elaine began to bubble on vividly about the shenanigans of her offspring. "You won't believe what my handsome little devil of a son has been up to," she narrated... "Which one?" Kathleen cut in and they laughed hysterically. "Ironically, the sweet Ethan," she continued, "He was suspended for starting a fight in school. He won't tell me what it is about either. Physically, he is fine although I cannot say the same for the other poor boy." "Boys will be boys. Go Ethan! That ought to earn him some points with the girls though," Kathleen joked as Elaine playfully slapped her on her shoulder.

They carried on with their chitchat, talking about this and that. They talked about outfits, events and weekend parties at trending clubs, men and everything else under the sun really. Time flew when these two got together. Sometimes they would talk late into the night and sleep where they sat. They were so accustomed to each other that they shared all their secrets. They could care less about the notion that a secret shared is a secret lost and with alcohol to drown their issues, they'd found a perfect trio.

Neither of them had a husband, only the occasional one-night stands and the seasonal boyfriends. What they had was happiness. They did not endure the baggage that came along with having husbands like their acquaintances did. They were independent, a little promiscuous and best of all, free from patronizing better halves.

Elaine almost missed the ring in her pocket as the vodka was beginning to take its toll on her. Luckily, the accompanying vibrations tickled her tender thigh and she reached for her phone.

She flashed the now brightly lit phone at her friend's face to blatantly show her the "private number" tag on the caller identity. As was their custom, she hollered in her drunken voice, "Wonder-woman speaking, just who the fuck are you?" The voice on the other end must have uttered about three words but they were enough to make her drop her phone to the floor and sober up immediately.

A bewildered Kathleen could not make heads or tails of it all and she was feeling groggy anyway. Elaine watched her calm friend doze off on the coffee table. She could not even blink, let alone sleep. She stared deep into oblivion and putting on her brave, 'can-do' attitude face, gulped the remainder of both vodka drinks and winced, now cutting a more desperate look.

Drops of sweat paradoxically fell from her forehead in the cold of the night. She tried to mutter words but none was forthcoming. Holding on to one glass, she almost did notice it breaking at the strength of her firm grip. As she removed pieces of glass from her palm, she could only mutter, "No....It can't be."

But, it was.....and it glared at her eyes, scathing down her throat snd scorching deep in her soul.

"He is coming, he is coming, he is coming," Elaine shuddered.

This is an excerpt from my incomplete novel "One Foot." Feel free to leave a comment.