Page 44 of Executive Decision

“How do you know this?” Mom demanded.

“I follow on social. I never have any idea what she is doing otherwise.”

We waited at the top of the step-and-repeat, watching Kristy and Paul stand together, looking deep in love. Paul stared as if she was his entire world. My stomach churned.

Finally, they left. I smiled and took a few photos with my mother before stepping aside to watch her shine. Elise Markham was fire incarnate. My mother often annoyed the shit out of me, but I was always proud of her. She was the girl who started a beauty brand out of her grandparents’ basement when no one believed in her—a baby on her hip and no man to help. Now, glittering in diamonds, Elise Markham had it all. I wondered if I would ever feel half as accomplished in nineteen years when I was her age.

* * *

Daphne

“You look so pretty,” Dora brimmed.

I squeezed her hand. “Thank you. You look divine.”

I wish Ifeltpretty. It wasn’t that I felt ugly. It was that I feltodd. We pulled up to the line of cars dropping off attendees for the Chicago Botanic Garden Gala. Dora and I were sent as the family’s emissary.

“I wish I could do this more,” Dora said. “You know, I just want to feel fabulous. I am sure it’s great. Maybe next year in London?”

London.My home. The place I saw myself living forever.

“We’ll go together sometime,” Dora tried to cheer me up. “When things are better. You can show me all the good parts.”

“Lanie knows the exciting parts better than I do,” I said. “Dora, I’m sorry if I’m dulling your shine tonight. I don’t mean to. However, Daddy is barely in the ground and… I haven’t had the time to cope. You all got months to adjust to the news and say your goodbyes and I’ve been back a week and still cannot get over waiting to hear his voice in the house.”

The door opened. Dora stepped out, holding her hand to me. I grabbed it, rising to my feet.

“I feel the same,” Dora admitted. “Yeah, I’m a little further along, but I still cried a little this morning just taking the dogs out in the garden without him.”

I held her arm tight as we proceeded towards the VIP entrance. A woman with a clipboard greeted us.

“Miss Delphine and Mrs. Walker,” she said. “Right this way. Unless you want to take photos?”

Mrs. Walker. I hated it. Every time someone said it, I felt owned by a man who had frozen my assets and trotted out all my failings in the press.

“I’d like to take photos,” Dora said. “I never get to do this.”

“It’s not appropriate,” I said. “Unless maybe we do it with the rest of the board.”

Dora glowered.

“That will happen later. I am sure the photographer will take some of you, Miss Delphine.”

“Thanks,” Dora backed off.

We followed the organizer through a string of men in tuxes who looked at my pretty, naive sister as if she were steak on legs. Dora completed her transformation from awkward, sweet teenager to unbelievably kind, stunning young woman. She was an it-girl with Mum’s beauty and Dad’s patience. I felt she was a bit precious and longed to protect her.

The organizer brought us up to a special bar for distinguished guests where Dora and I began drinking.

“That’s John Calbert,” Dora whispered, nodding toward a tall, lanky man with cornsilk blonde hair. “He is so hot.”

“We have different opinions on that, sweetie,” I snickered. “Who is he?”

“He is a climate activist. God, he’s so great!”

“Keep your panties on, Dora,” I giggled. “We aren’t here to flirt.”

Dora pouted. “I feel like I am going to turn into a pumpkin.”

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