Until Sunrise

“Mum,” Flora said loudly so she could be heard over their self-induced chuckles. “I’m leaving today, you buried daddy a day before the planned date. I guess I have nothing left to do here. If you need someone to keep you company, I’m sure Angie and her friends will be suitable.” She said loudly while pointing to Ricky, who’d just poured himself more wine from the jug but hadn’t offered to refill her glass.

The stare made Betty put her hand over her mouth to hide her mirth. “You wanna tell me how you two met before today?”

“No!” Flora and Ricky said in unison, then refused to stare at one another.

“I want you to stay for a while.”

“Mum,” Flora said firmly, “I wanna know why you want me to stay.”

“Honey,” Betty said as she reached for her hand, but Flora moved to pick her wine glass.

“Do you need a refill?” Ricky asked when he saw her grimace.

She looked at him then back to her mother, “I need to leave and don’t pretend like we are buddies.”

“You need to stay until they read your father’s will.” She placed her wine glass gently on the table.

“Uh,” Flora said and she instantly sobered. “I don’t think he would leave me anything after you poisoned him against me.” Her voice was soft as though she regretted something. “But that’s great with me, I don’t need anything from anyone. I can work my ass off.” She said leaning a bit forward and for the first time, she felt like there was life inside her body.