Jolynn sat in her friends’ tiny kitchenette, sipping hot milk and chatting about the party. Earlier that evening, Jolynn had introduced her lover to a pretty blond nurse, and Nellie and Dot hadn’t been pleased about it. Jolynn didn’t understand the fuss. There was more than enough of Bradley and his money to go around. When Jolynn introduced him to a little tomato that he liked, more of that largesse came her way.

Maybe that’s what Nellie and Dot were in a snit about—that they hadn’t found someone for him first. Whatever the reason, they were mad. Not mad enough to argue, but, as the Nix whispered, the situation might be useful, if things came to that. As Jolynn sipped hot milk and listened to Dot and Nellie chatter about the party, the Nix whispered ideas in her ear.

“…not just jealousy,” the Nix said. “It has to be more than that. They’re angry because…because of something about the nurse. She has…syphilis. That’s it. They heard a rumor that she has syphilis.”

“They did?” Jolynn nearly sloshed milk onto her lap.

“Why didn’t they tell me? That’s horrible. If she has syphilis, she could give it to Bradley—”

“She doesn’t have syphilis. But that’s what we’ll say, if things go wrong. Naturally, they’d be furious with you for exposing them. You tried to tell them it was just a rumor, but they accused you of being careless, thoughtless. You tried to leave, but they wouldn’t let you.”

The Nix continued to plot. Such an imagination. She was so clever. Jolynn shivered, counting her lucky stars that the Nix had chosen her. As a child, Jolynn had always wanted an imaginary friend, but she’d never been lucky enough to find one. She’d always thought, if she did, she’d name her Victoria.

“I’m going to call you Victoria,” she announced.

The Nix stopped whispering. “What?”

“I’m going to call you Victoria.” She paused. “Unless you’d prefer Vicky, but I don’t really like Vicky.”

“Victoria is fine,” the Nix said. “Now, we—Wait, they’re talking to you.”

Jolynn popped out of her reverie and smiled at her friends.

“Hmmm?” she said.

“That dress Rachel was wearing,” Dot said. “That’s the same one you wore to Buzz’s party last month, wasn’t it?”

“Probably the exact same dress I wore. I did donate it to charity.”

Dot snickered.

“Oh, and speaking of cast-offs,” Nellie said. “Did you notice Millie’s handbag?”

Dot arched her brows. “Was that a handbag? I thought she was carrying…”

Jolynn tuned out again and stifled a yawn.

“Can I kill them yet?” she asked the Nix. “I’m getting awful sleepy.”

“Yes. That’s the perfect excuse,” the Nix—Victoria—said. “Yawn again, but don’t hide it. When they notice, tell them you should be leaving, and get up.”