“So,” Alice began. “It’s true. You’re really married.”

“That’s right,” Yvonne said.

“Well, it’s a bit late, but congratulations. I hear it was something of a spontaneous event?”

“Yes, it was.” Yvonne didn’t elaborate.

“Now, Yvonne, don’t be short with me.” Alice crossed her ankles and folded her hands neatly in her lap. “I want to know the details. How did the two of you meet? When did you decide to get married?”

Yvonne sighed. Here we go again.

But before she could speak, Ruby put her hand on Yvonne’s knee and gave her a look that said, let me handle this.

Yvonne gave her an almost imperceptible nod and sat back. Ruby began telling the story of how they’d ‘met’ years ago, with Yvonne adding the occasional detail. Madison’s wedding had proved that Ruby was much more convincing when it came to telling people about their ‘marriage.’ She had a knack for it.

“Then, we both realized we wanted to be together for good,” Ruby said. “So we thought, why wait? And that’s how we ended up in a chapel in Vegas saying our vows in front of an Elvis impersonator.” Somehow, Ruby made the story sound charming.

Alice gave her a wide smile. “Isn’t that lovely? I’m so happy for you.”

Yvonne held back a frown. That was it? No questions? No judgment? Usually, Alice didn’t hold back her criticism of Yvonne. This was a woman who, when Yvonne was growing up, had insisted that the family get two sets of family photos taken, one with all four of them and one without Yvonne. Why was Alice being civil and polite now? And Nicholas hadn’t said anything at all. Why wasn’t he trying to poke holes in her story?

Was Yvonne being unfair to them both? After all, Yvonne wasn’t exactly objective when it came to Alice or Nicholas, for a number of reasons. Their treatment of Yvonne as a child. The circumstances of Alice and Yvonne’s father’s marriage. It wouldn’t be wrong to say Yvonne had always resented them. Yet, here they were, being kind to her. Alice had even congratulated her. Was her stepmother actually being genuine?

Ruby smiled at her. See, her eyes seemed to say. Nothing to worry about.

After half an hour of small talk, they went into the dining room for dinner, a formal multi-course affair at Alice’s insistence. As they ate and made small talk, the atmosphere remained pleasant and civil. Although Nicholas didn’t speak much, Alice seemed to be making an effort to get to know Ruby.

As they finished off the main course, Alice addressed Ruby. “Do you do anything for work?”

Ruby’s mouth was full, so she couldn’t answer immediately. Yvonne glanced at her stepmother. There was something odd about the smile plastered on her face. Yvonne looked at her brother. His face wore the same expression.

Suddenly, Yvonne was aware of an eerie stillness in the room.

“She used to be a waitress,” Yvonne interjected. “But for now, she’s settling into her new life here.”