Harr harrrr!

It’s Wednesday.

Ready for your weekly teaser?

Alright…You asked for it.

Sigrid

“Well, this is fun,” Lucile said while sitting down.

Hannah lowered herself into a velvet, red chair.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this!”

Lucile opened her booklet.

“Don’t be silly. It was your idea,” she said and scanned the first page.

Hannah huffed.

“It was not. I said it might be a good idea for me to be here. I didn’t say you should come.”

Lucile’s lips curled into an amused smile.

“It was too good an opportunity to miss,” she said, turning the page.

Hannah shook her head. There was no use in arguing with her mother, she decided. She crossed her legs and made herself comfortable.

“I’ve been thinking,” Lucile said as she put down the booklet.

Hannah turned to face her.

“Maybe it’s best if I manage some of the foundation business again.”

Hannah raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Why?”

“You know why.”

Hannah straightened up.

“But I thought you wanted me to take over? I don’t get it.”

Lucile pursed her lips.

“I did. I still do. But the situation has changed, wouldn’t you say?”

Hannah blew out a breath.

“This is not a punishment of some sort, Hannah,” Lucile said. “This is to protect you and Mildred.”

Hannah met her mother’s gaze.

“Things aren’t what they used to be,” Lucile said. “Good thing too. Being in a relationship with an artist you support financially can easily seem inappropriate. It probably is, to be honest.”

Hannah ran a shaky hand through her hair.

“Is this going to hurt Milly in some way?”

Lucile fidgeted with her golden bracelet.

“I don’t think so. It’s you I’m worried about. You’re in a powerful position. People could say you forced Mildred into this.”

Hannah’s stomach lurched.

“That’s ridiculous, I would never….”

Lucile looked around. They were still the only ones seated in this box. She moved to the edge of her seat and looked Hannah straight into the eyes.

“Imagine you were a man. You have a lot of power and a lot of money. A man supporting the career of a beautiful and talented singer and then sleeping with her…”

Hannah’s brows knitted together in frustration.

“Surely that’s different.”

“Is it?” Lucile asked.

Hannah clenched her jaw. She stared at the large curtains that hid the stage from view.

“It’s not like that,” she sputtered.

“I know, honey,” was all Lucile said.

“So, what will change?” Hannah asked.

Lucile lifted a shoulder. “I’ll take over the public events. I’ll tell people I missed the Met.”

“Do you?”

“Maybe a little bit.”

Hannah rubbed the back of her neck.

“You think I should break up with Milly?” she asked.  Her voice was barely a whisper.

Lucile took her time to answer.

I let my wife choose the cliffhanger this week. Don’t blame me 😉