Glorious Sunset by Ava Bleu Page A

“Dwess?”
    â€œIt’s right here. I’ll wait ’til you’re finished to give it to you. It goes perfect with the flowers I ordered.”
    Violet swallowed rib meat and said, “Isn’t it customary to be fitted for one of those things?”
    â€œYes, but it’s okay. I know what size you are. A ten, right?”
    All eyes looked at her and Violet wanted to cross the table and pimp slap Brenda. Sure, a ten when she was prepubescent. Brenda obviously wanted Violet to admit to the whole table that she was actually a fourteen. Witch. She looked at the dress and did a double take. “Cripes, Brenda, is that orange?”
    â€œIt’s melon. It’s the in color this year.”
    â€œGood God, did we or did we not take the same fashion class that taught us that what is in fashion is not always what is most flattering? And is that . . . Gosh darn it, Brenda, are those sleeves or balloons?”
    â€œSleeves, silly. Chiffon. And the top is satin and the skirt blouses out.”
    â€œLike a dang on Southern belle on crack.” Violet tried to hold in her horror, truly, but this humiliation was too complete to keep her quiet, even in front of her genie. “I am going to kill you. I’m going to put your head down in your fiancé’s soup and hold it there until the life drains out of you.”
    â€œI knew you’d like it! I told you she’d like it, Gary.”
    She supposed there was some value in the fact that Brenda never took any of her threats seriously. It would be one of those cases where, when her lifeless body showed up floating in a bathtub, with a bridesmaid dress–colored melon slice shoved in her mouth, people would say Violet just snapped; nobody ever saw it coming.
    Jerome looked across at Taka under hooded lids. “When you getting married, man?”
    â€œI have been married. I am a widower.”
    Brenda gasped loudly, concern on her face. “I am so sorry. That’s terrible.” She then stopped and seemed to remind herself that she couldn’t trust a thing he said. “You almost got me there. I almost believed you.”
    â€œI do not lie,” he said sternly.
    â€œViolet, is he lying?” Brenda asked her.
    Violet rewarded her with a hiss. “He is not a liar. If he says he is a widower than he is. For pity’s sake, can you please leave the man alone?”
    Jerome asked Taka, “What’d she die of?”
    â€œJerome!” Violet yelled.
    â€œIt is fine, Violet.” Taka raised a calming hand to her and turned to Jerome. “She was murdered. But she fought all the way. She fought like the wife of a warrior with the spirit of a queen, spirit that can surpass any misfortune. She lived a short life on this earth but that life was as grand as the highest mountain and as precious as the most delicate of flowers. I yearn and long for her every single day with every fiber of my being.” The table fell quiet for a moment and then Gary interrupted the peace.
    â€œSo how was she murdered? Knife? Gun? Bomb?”
    â€œGood God, Gary,” Brenda said, scandalized by her fiancé’s lack of tact.
    Violet agreed. “How tacky can you be? You are all embarrassing me to death. I am embarrassed right now to know you all.”
    Jerome said wryly, “And yet, here you sit.” He laughed.
    Gary joined in, remarking, “She couldn’t be too embarrassed. She dated both of us; she must like something.”
    â€œYou got that right!” Jerome declared.
    â€œOh, for heaven’s sake.” Brenda blushed. “Cut it out you guys. That’s just as tasteless.”
    Taka took it all in as Violet ate, seeming to avoid eye contact with him. He’d caught her eyes before and he knew she felt something. Knew it. Now, he could feel a barrier around her. She was shutting him out. She was blinding herself to what she knew was madness. These people, this situation; it