Prima strikes first. She darts her finger toward Quarta’s eyes. She means for it to stop a fraction of an inch from her face, but she accidently hits a wine glass. Deftly, she flicks out her other hand to catch it, but with her attention split between the glass and her finger, the rock on her finger scrapes Quarta’s cheekbone. It draws blood.

To JJ’s surprise, Quarta fights back. She grips Prima’s right palm, giving Prima’s hand a sharp twist. The quick crackle of a green bean pops into the air. Prima’s baby finger is pointed to the inside of her lifeline. Brittle bones are easy to manipulate. Osteoporosis has friends.

JJ feels a rush of adrenaline. He feels young. Their antics excite him.

Quarta takes out what looks like an EpiPen. She grins as she leans over to Prima and says in a sultry voice that hides the poison contained in her words, “Antivenom. Never leave home without it, especially when any of us are in your company, Prima.”

Prima smiles back icily.

The quiver is quivering. They’ve never seen such a spectacle. They had entered the group knowing that Prima was the leader. Knowing that there were certain rules and expectations. They never thought that there would be an uprising. They are waiting for Quarta to bite the leader. Waiting for the change in power. Savagery arrives in many forms. They never thought it would be physical. Their wine glasses remain untouched on the table.

“He’s mine!” Quarta says as she stabs the top of her left thigh. She leans back, waiting for JJ’s return and the victory that she feels will almost certainly be hers.

But JJ sees something else. He can see Prima rising from her seat. She knows Quarta has overplayed her hand and has relaxed too soon. The insurrection is over, even if Quarta hasn’t seen it yet. He sinks into the shadows as Prima gushes past him.

Quarta touches her cheek. She can feel the beginning of a small swelling. She takes out her Charles Mallory compact mirror and glances at herself. It won’t get larger, she thinks. In the mirror, Quarta sees the reflection of JJ’s tan Brioni sweater moving toward the entrance. She turns her head and glares at JJ’s escaping figure.

As JJ steps out into the sunshine, she sees Prima’s limo pull up. The door opens.

JJ bows his head and steps into the vehicle.

These Old Bones

“Nobody wants these old bones,” Annie muttered at the early morning sunrays dipping into her living room window. She looked out onto the quiet street. The leaves were tumbling to the ground in droves. The wind was up, or as the locals called it, “the sea breeze.” How did she ever end up here? On an island in the Pacific Ocean?