Deborah Woehr

Theo scratched at his face. I knew what that meant. My place was in the sidelines while the men gloated over their victory. That was all right because I knew I had won mine.

I would be teaching in a brand new church that my lover had built. “Are we going to have a gala afterwards?” I asked, more out of curiosity and to change the subject.

“Yes.” Theo’s smile returned. “The pig is being slaughtered as we speak.”

“Good. I’ll meet you at the church.”

Theo waved before he left. I raced upstairs to change and freshen my makeup, excited to see the church in it’s splendor and my man cutting the ribbon. As I stripped out of my soiled dress, I envisioned Theo on those steps with that fat, glutonous mayor. He was smiling at the crowd the entire time, a better politician than the mayor could ever hope to be.

A smile broke out on my lips before I had a chance to touch them up. We had worked so hard and been through so much together. God was rewarding us for our efforts. I may not be at Theo’s side during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but I would be at the gala.

Everyone would be there, smiling at us and talking to us. I wouldn’t be so brash as to latch my arm around Theo’s, not with everyone still expecting his wife to come. Appearances were everything. That’s what Theo told me when he wouldn’t allow me into his house.

I accepted this, although I didn’t like it. All of this sneaking around had grown tiresome. Soon, it would become apparent to the townsfolk that Cora wasn’t going to come.

I left my room with this thought on my mind. It buoyed my spirits as I walked down the mahogany staircase and into the lobby. Randolph looked over his shoulder when he heard my heels clacking against the hardwood floor.

“You sure look nice,” he said with faint disapproval.

“Thank you,” I replied on my way out. Immediately, I saw the throng of people standing in front of the church, clapping and shouting. I saw the scissors in Theo’s raised hand and knew that they had started without me.

Tears sprung to my eyes, and it wasn’t because I’d missed out on a victory ceremony. A blond-haired woman stood by his side, where I should have been standing. She held a little girl in her arms, no older than five.

My insides felt like they had been shoved down my throat backwards. It hurt to breathe. Flashes of light lit up their faces in short bursts. I forced the muscles to relax on mine as I walked up to the crowd.

The mayor finished his speech. Then Theo gave his, expressing how blessed he felt that his family was able to share this important event with him. All I could think about was how that man had looked me in the eye, smiled at me, and told me bold-faced lies.

I smiled at Cora and her daughters. The girls smiled back.

“It’s good of you to join us, Miss Kelly,” Mayor O’Flannery shouted for the benefit of everyone. “Mrs. Sonnet, Miss Kelly is our teacher.”

Cora looked at me, her eyes as black as onyx stones. A slow smile came to her lips, those eyes filling with mistrust. “Hello.”

“I look forward to teaching your girls next Fall,” I said with a strong, clear voice. My smile grew wider as I looked at my lover, who refused to look directly at me.

“Myra, why don’t you join them up there.” James Nettleton wanted to snap a picture for his society page. He waited until I stood beside Cora.

The flash went off, filling my vision with stars.

You’ve underestimated me, you philandering bastard. I will crush her and spill her blood all over your pristine church steps. I promise you that.

The next flash blinded me.

I hate you.