Veiled Hearts

Two

The misty, cool late August air breezed gently through Violet's bedroom window, carrying with it the faint, soulful notes of a street saxophonist playing an original piece down below. Chicago had its charms, moments like these when the city seemed to serenade her, but at times she longed for the small-town familiarity just outside Richmond, Virginia, where she had spent her formative years. Back home, her paternal family had inherited a modest plot of land, and the town was a place where everyone knew everyone and their business—a community as tight-knit as it was nosy.

But that was before her parents' messy split when she was just a preteen. After the divorce, Violet and her older brother, Vernon, moved with their mother to Chicago. Her mother had taken up a teaching position at the University of Chicago and, through determination and hard work, had risen to chair the Business Department. Her father, on the other hand, sold the family land and moved to Atlanta, where he worked as a news producer. Despite Violet's attempts to maintain a relationship, her father's responses had become infrequent, leaving her with only distant memories of the bond they once shared.

A sudden blare from an ambulance jolted Violet out of her thoughts. She glanced at the clock—only twenty minutes left to get ready. Hurriedly, she reached for her eyelash curler, shaping her lashes with quick precision before unwinding her heatless curls. To her frustration, one side fell perfectly bouncy, while the other lay flat. Sighing, she decided to improvise, gathering her hair into a sleek bun.

Violet chose a lively green jumpsuit for the evening, pairing it with matching flats and gold accessories. After a quick swipe of lip gloss and a touch of liner, she was ready. As she slipped out the door, the weight of the past few days clung to her like a shadow.

Sliding into her late model black Honda Accord, Violet couldn't help but smile at the thought of their college days together. Pam had always been the risk-taker—smart, savvy, and quick-witted. She could charm anyone and always seemed to have a solution to every problem. Where Violet often hesitated, Pam pushed forward, dragging Violet along for the ride. They were a perfect balance, each complementing the other's strengths and weaknesses. Initially, their differences had led to clashes as freshman roommates, but those very differences had forged a deep and lasting bond between them.

Violet pushed through the glass doors of The Crystal, a cozy restaurant and lounge that had quickly become a local favorite. The pulsing bass of the music, the dim lighting, and the vibrant chatter of the crowd, eased the tension in her chest.

Pam was already at the bar, her signature red lipstick perfectly applied, her curly Afro held back with a glittering headband. She was laughing and flirting with the bartender, her energy electric. When she spotted Violet, she waved her over enthusiastically. "Vi! Finally, you've decided to join the land of the living!" she teased, handing her a bright pink cocktail.

Violet chuckled, taking a sip. The sweet and tart mix hit her tongue, and she smiled. "Thanks for dragging me out tonight. I really needed this."

Pam smacked her lips. "Girl, please, you've been cooped up and worked up for far too long. Tonight's about forgetting all that boring adult stuff. Trust me, you'll thank me later." She winked.

As the night wore on, the drinks flowed, and Pam kept the conversation light and lively, bouncing from stories of her latest dating escapades to work gossip and a critical rundown of her ex's new girlfriend. The DJ spun a throwback, and the dance floor called. Pam didn't hesitate to pull Violet into the center of it all, twirling and laughing, letting the music and the moment wash over them.

Later, breathless and exhilarated, they found themselves outside, leaning against the brick wall as they cooled off. Pam fanned herself with a party flyer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "See? Wasn't this better than sulking cat lady?" She teased.