Chapter 2 - CALL HIM
Vanessa waved the photograph inches from Eleanor’s face.
“A sewer rat dreaming she’s a swan?”
Guests slowed.
Some watched.
Nobody intervened yet.
Vanessa laughed harder.
“Even Photoshop can’t fix that face.”
Eleanor’s eyes cooled.
Vanessa threw the photograph at her feet.
“You think he’d ever know someone like YOU?”
Eleanor slowly stood.
Rain ran from her hair.
“Call him.”
Vanessa smiled wider.
“Gladly.”
She pulled out her phone.
“Come outside. Some delusional beggar says she knows you.”
Eleanor said nothing.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
A black sedan arrived.
The rear door opened.
Adrian stepped out.
Vanessa pointed.
“There.”
Adrian looked.
His face changed instantly.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
Fear.
“Mom?”
Vanessa’s hand dropped.
The driveway went silent.
Eleanor picked up the wet photograph.
Vanessa whispered:
“What?”
Adrian moved toward his mother.
“Are you hurt?”
Eleanor looked at him.
Then at Vanessa.
“I’ve been worse.”
Vanessa laughed nervously.
“This is your mother?”
Adrian did not answer immediately.
That was worse.
Then:
“Yes.”
Vanessa went pale.
May you like
Eleanor said:
“And apparently I’m also a filthy parasite.”
