abrightboy | (Reply)

From:

"Ah," Jessica noted, and it was more a shape with her lips than a sound. "Now I understand why you and Malcolm get along so well."

Malcolm had no opportunity to address that before a woman with an elaborate up-do and a sparkly white dress approached the table with false polite cheer.

"Jessica Whitly. How lovely to see you here. I always marvel at how brave you are, getting out like this." She took note of their table, conspicuously hosting only four occupants for its ten chairs. "I see the rest of your party had obligations they couldn't get out of, but at least your children made it." She looked at Raylan. "And who's your date?"

Jessica held her smile, though something dangerous had crept up behind it.

"Well, thank you Nancy," she said brightly. "Though I wouldn't suggest I'm half as brave as you are, wearing white when it washes out your skin tone like that," she explained cheerfully.