Tea with an Old Friend
by Jiboni Gloistein (‘21)

“Tea?” Lillian proposes. Her pink gown sweeps along the axminster rug. May, eyes elsewhere in the room, nods apathetically.

“Why not,” she stands and brushes off her dress, “we can only hope the refreshment is as sweet as the company.” 

Lillian ignores the mocking tone, remembering the spats the two had as young girls. She beckons May into the kitchen and begins to set up a tray. 

“I am glad you’re here,” she attempts to speak over the clumsy clanking of saucers and cups, “I used to be so childish. But we’re mature now, able to reconcile”

May addresses the fixtures in the room, “Not another thought of it, my dear. I’m so pleased we can look past it. Such a silly feud. Don’t you think, Lil?”

“Undoubtedly,” she turns, tray in hands, placid smile on her face. “The doors, please?”

“My pleasure.” May leads the two back to their seats, reluctantly taking a cup of tea as she is seated. Lillian studies the clock behind May before delicately raising her cup.

“To old enemies, and new friends.”

May touches her cup to Lillian’s, “I do hope we may do this again.”

“As do I.” As she takes a sip, Lillian’s left hand begins to falter, the saucer slipping through her fingers. 

Silence, stuffy and sickeningly sweet. 

“Lil?” 

The woman’s eyes close. Her other hand loosens its grip on her cup and a smile again creeps onto her face. As her cup falls to the ground, so does she. There's a knock at the door. 

May stands to answer, shaking. At the door, she’s met by the authorities. 

“Is Lillian Moore home? We have reason to believe she’s in danger— that a certain May Harrison wants her dead.”