Photo credit: Tiendita*Trashy Hollywood via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA
This is the final installment in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, and Part VI before continuing.
“And to think I invited her to our book club,” said Harriet as she looked out Gloria’s kitchen window and into Kiera’s kitchen where Kiera and Danielle appeared to be hitting it off.
“There’s just nothing you can do for some people,” Gloria said as she set a mug of herbal tea in front of her friend. “We tried to warn her.”
“We did everything we could to be as welcoming as possible to her and look what she does: betrays our trust and goes to the one person we specifically warned her about.”
“We did all we could. We can’t make her decisions for her.”
“It’s just so hard to watch another promising young woman throw her life away. Look at her. I’m sure she could get a husband in no time if she just applied herself. And to think I let her watch my children for an entire afternoon.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I’m sure your children are none the worse for it.”
“I certainly hope not.” Harriet put a hand on her growing belly, as if to protect her unborn child from the evil influences of their new neighbor. “Do you think she’s a lesbian?”
Gloria rolled her eyes. “You think every unmarried woman is a lesbian.”
“Well, if they’re not lesbians, why aren’t they married?” Harriet’s tone made it sound like it was obvious that homosexuality was the one and only reason an adult woman could possibly remain single. “Besides, just look at them. All cozy and laughing together. Of course they’re lovers. What other explanation could there be?”
Gloria just sipped from her mug as she watched their suspicious neighbors. Harriet drank her herbal tea, resenting the fact she wasn’t allowed to have caffeine for another seven months.
Danielle looked up, happened to see them, smiled broadly and waved at them. Harriet and Gloria both smiled tightly and waved back at her. They watched as Danielle said something to Kiera before they both laughed and moved out of view.
“What do you think she said?” asked Gloria.
“You don’t think they’re talking about us, do you?”
Gloria shrugged. “They might be. Maybe Jason’s right and Kiera really is a spy. Maybe Danielle’s also a spy and they’re exchanging information.”
“I knew it!” Harriet glared through the windows at the now-empty kitchen table.
Gloria shook her head slowly from side to side. “We’re going to have to watch ourselves around them. There’s no telling what they might be up to.”
“I’ll say,” Harriet agreed as she again placed her hand over her stomach. “You just can’t trust anyone these days.”
The end.
Thanks for reading! If you like what you see here you can sign up for my newsletter at the top of this page. You’ll never miss an update and you’ll get a free short story every month that won’t be posted on the website. No spam, I promise!