Shadowplay

- Part 2 -

The warm smell of Earl Grey tea lingered in the air, mingling with the faint hint of lavender from the candles Dolores had lit earlier.

"Dolores..~" Sally-Mae greeted in a soft, sing-song voice, a slight smile creeping across her lips

Dolores forced a smile, her concern for Sally-Mae evident in the furrow of her brow. "Hey, Sal. How are you feeling today?"

Sally-Mae's gaze drifted away momentarily, as if contemplating the question. "Oh, I'm fine, dear," she replied, her voice distant yet cheerful. "Isn't it a lovely evening?" She giggles slowly as she leans against the dull patchwork sofa, her head nearly thumping against the painting above her.

Dolores sighed inwardly, knowing that Sally-Mae's perception of reality was... Fragile, at best. She took a seat beside her on the couch, the plush cushions offering some comfort in the quiet room.

"Franky and Teddy should be home soon," Dolores said softly, trying to keep the conversation grounded. "How about I make us some tea?"

Sally-Mae's smile faltered for a brief moment before returning. "Mmm," she murmured, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the fabric of her dress.

As Dolores rose to prepare the tea in the adjoining kitchen, she glanced out the window at the starlit sky. Her thoughts wandered to Theodore, wondering where he was and if he was alright. The city could be a harsh place, especially for someone like him, chasing ghosts and shadows.

Back in the living room, Sally-Mae's gaze drifted to the framed photographs on the wall. "Do you ever wonder, Dolores," she began softly, her voice taking on a dreamy tone, "if any of this is real?"

Dolores paused, stirring the tea she prepared absentmindedly as she considered Sally-Mae's question. She turned to face her friend, noticing a peculiar glint in Sally-Mae's eyes, a hint of detachment that sent a chill down her spine.

"Sugar," Dolores began cautiously, adjusting her black bettie bangs. "Whaddya mean by 'real'?"

Sally-Mae tilted her head, her smile widening ever so slightly as her long. copper locks draped down from her shoulders to her back "Oh, you know," she replied vaguely. "Anyways... Be a dear and feed Barbara a bottle?

Dolores furrowed her brow, concern knotting in her stomach. She had noticed Sally-Mae's episodes before, moments when reality seemed to slip through her fingers like sand. But tonight, there was an especially unsettling air in Sally-Mae's delusion.

She could never forgive herself if she upright told her that there is no Barbara. But after all, it's not like she would believe her. Normally those two could communicate with just glances, but Sally-Mae's eyes were constantly staring straight ahead, right past her.

As if on cue, the sound of keys jingling in the lock signalled Jamison and Franky's arrival. Dolores felt a wave of relief wash over her as they stepped into the living room, their presences a reassuring anchor in the stormy sea of uncertainty.

"Hey, gorgeous." Franky would approach Sally-Mae, sitting next to her and pulling her onto his lap. "You feelin' okay?"

Sally-Mae smiles and lets out an eerie hum. "Fine, sweetheart." She'd lean in a little closer to him as she'd straddle him, trying to close the distance between the two of them.

"Easy there, m'love. You know I want you..." He chuckles, stroking his wife's freckled cheek. "But you know we can't do it right here..."

Sally-Mae huffs, a small pout growing across her face. "Darling..."

Jamison would clear his throat, looking away. "Get a room if you're going to continue, please."

Franky snickers, planting a passionate kiss on Sally-Mae's lips, and slap on the behind as he gently lifted her off his lap to stand, leading her to the bedroom to do god knows what.