She grabbed her purse and turned to leave.
My voice cut through the room, sharp and loud.
"Sonia Henson. Is it really that urgent? If you don't go, what, your best friend is going to cut you off?"
I stared into her eyes, unblinking, wanting to give her one last chance.
Sonia's gaze darted away. She fumbled for words, her voice climbing with barely concealed panic.
"You don't know what she's like. She's sensitive and pushy. She'll seriously get upset."
"Besides, all these years, she's never once broken a plan with me. How can I be the one to bail?"
She paused, then added, "You know she's my only real best friend. If we had a falling out, I'd be devastated..."
"How about I just call you a cab? It'll be quick, I promise..."
Her phone rang again. I closed my eyes.
"Forget it. Go."
Her footsteps hurried toward the door. I didn't say another word to stop her.
The moment silence settled over the room, I sat up, tossed the cherries I'd crushed to pulp in my fist into the trash, and made a call.
"Mom, I'm feeling fine today. How about I take you and Dad and Aunt Bianca and Aunt Vivian out to that private theater in the suburbs for a movie?"
"That's right, we'll have dinner there too. Country-style cooking. Get ready. I'll pick you all up in ten minutes."
The moment Delilah stepped into the private theater, a smile spread across her face.
"Noel, you really do know how to find the nicest places. I never would've known a spot like this existed."
I smiled and walked up to the front desk. I gave them Sonia's phone number and told them we were her family, here to join her for the movie.
The attendant beamed and led us down the hallway without hesitation.
We'd barely reached the door of the private suite when sounds drifted out from inside. Giggling. Squealing. Playful shrieks. Sounds I'd never once heard from my wife.
The second the attendant unlocked the door, I kicked it open and slapped the light switch on.
The scene inside the suite froze every single person behind me.
Lucas was shirtless. Beside him on the floor lay a pile of shredded black stockings, torn to ribbons and scattered everywhere. A strip of fabric was stuffed in his mouth.
