Starlight
Alice stormed outside onto the porch, scowling.
She zeroed in on Betty and Zed's intimate stance as they walked up to the door.
-Well, well, well... looks like someone's been having fun without me, Alice growled.
She crossed her arms defensively across her ample chest.
-There's our sleeping beauty, Zed said.
Alice narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the nonchalant greeting.
-Sleeping beauty? Hardly. I've been awake for hours, actually, Alice retorted coolly.
-Why didn't you text? Betty asked.
Flower caught Zed's attention long enough to wave goodbye. The station wagon pulled away, leaving the trio alone.
-Oh please, don't tell me you were worried about little ol' me, Bets, Alice drawled sarcastically. I think it's pretty clear where your loyalties lie these days.
-None of that Alice, Zed said, turning back to her. He held up the heavy bag of takeout. Betty and I brought plenty of food and we thought about you all day.
Alice took the offered takeout bag begrudgingly.
-Hmph. Well, I suppose I shouldn't let perfectly good food go to waste, she conceded.
They went inside.
-Were you making yourself comfortable in my house? Zed asked Alice.
-Your house? I hardly think a quick nap on the couch constitutes 'making myself comfortable', Alice replied tartly. Besides, it's not like you were here to object.
Her gaze flickered to Betty before darting away again.
-I want you to be comfortable Alice, both of you, Zed said as he fixed her a plate of the leftovers. I meant it when I said you can stay all week.
Alice raised an eyebrow skeptically.
-Oh really, Zed? And why, pray tell, would you want us barging into your space and disrupting your routine all week long?
-Because I haven't had a week off in months and I can't think of anything better to do with myself than you two girls.
Betty's eyes widened at the declaration. She clasped her hands to her chest.
-You want to spend your entire week off with us? How wonderfully romantic!
-Ugh, spare me the sappy sentiment, Alice sighed, but she didn’t have it in her.
She took the plate from Zed.
-Did we leave the bottle of Chardonnay in the park? Zed asked.
Alice let out a short, mirthless chuckle at the mention of the wine.
-I know wine isn't for everyone. I've also got this, Zed said to Alice.
He pulled a joint from his front pocket.
-Do you partake?
Alice looked at it with mild surprise, then shrugged indifferently.
-Sure, why not. It beats the alternative options floating around lately.
She plucked the offering from his fingers. She brought it to her lips, lighting up and taking a long drag before exhaling slowly.
Betty sipped her wine, watching the interplay between Zed and Alice with fascination.
-I think it's lovely that you two are finding common ground, Betty commented. Perhaps this week together will bring you closer, Alice. Lord knows you could stand to loosen up a bit.
Betty giggled, reaching out to squeeze Zed's arm affectionately.
Alice passed the joint back to Zed. He put it between his teeth in reverse and leaned in to offer Betty a shotgun hit. Betty leaned in close to inhale deeply. She held the smoke as long as she could before coughing heavily.
-I've got an idea, Zed said.
He went to the linen closet and grabbed a large blanket and a few throw pillows.
-Let's have a little picnic out back.
-Oh, what a charming idea, darling! Betty exclaimed, already envisioning a romantic interlude.
Alice followed along reluctantly. She plopped down on the farthest edge of the blanket in the grass, arranging a pillow haphazardly behind her back.
-Ugh, this is so cliché, Alice grumbles, eyeing the spread critically. Picnics, seriously? Could you be any more of a walking stereotype?
-Our second one today, even, Zed chuckled at Betty.
He pulled one more spliff out of his pocket that he'd hidden before, lighting it up as he laid back right into Alice's lap. He looked up into the clear night sky.
Zed took a deep breath, listening to the crickets chirping in the dark.
-Isn't everything beautiful?
Alice glanced down at Zed reclining in her lap. She cleared her throat awkwardly.
-Beautiful? I wouldn't go that far. Though I suppose the stars are nice enough tonight.
-I'll take it, Zed laughed, caressing Alice's inner thigh with his cheek.
Betty smiled, nuzzling against Zed's shoulder as the three lay tangled together on the blanket under the starlit sky.
-This was the loveliest ending to the perfect day, Zeddy, Betty murmured, her words slurring slightly. Promise me we'll have many more nights like this...
-I promise.
Betty yawned softly.
Alice stirred slightly, hovering on the cusp of sleep herself. Zed's head still rested heavily in her lap. She glanced down at him, her expression softening almost imperceptibly.
-Nights like this, huh? Don't go getting used to it, Alice muttered.
There was less bite to her words than usual. She paused, seeming to wrestle with herself in the quiet dark before speaking again. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
-It's not unpleasant though. Having you both... close by.
They talked about the stars and deep space and fell asleep right there on the blanket in the backyard.