Highest Bidder

I, on the other hand, had put in little effort, only for her. My dress was a halter neck, mid length in black ? a perfect reflection of my mood ? while my hair had just been blow-dried and let loose.

We both walked in and like the rest of the guests we were shown to a spiraling flight of stairs that was intended to announce one’s arrival. I could feel the room turn quiet as we stood at the head of the grand stairs. Surely, not everyone knew us and our history, but for those who did, we were most unwelcome.

I turned to look at my mother.

Her chin was high and there was a sophisticated smile playing on her lips. She wasn’t going to let them decide how she felt.

I forced myself to relax. Since she believed this would help her, I had come ready to protect her. We were shown to our seats which just as I had expected, a table near the kitchen door and filled with unknown nobodies. I didn’t mind that at all.

Mom however took a quick sip of water and got to her feet.

“Mom.” I rose, feeling quite sick with worry.

At my hand on her arm, she turned and gave me a smile.

“Do you want me to come with you?” I asked.

“I’ll be fine. We’re not completely ostracized. I’ll say hello to those who’ll allow it and make some new friends.”

I couldn't sit down, so I grabbed my clutch and kept my arm in hers. “Let’s go,” I said to her and we glided across the hall.

The center of the room was filled with sumptuous bouquets of snow white tulips and roses. Ignoring the many eyes watching us surreptitiously, I escorted my mom to wherever she was taking us.

She stopped to pick up two champagne flutes for us. As soon as I took my glass from her, she began to socialize. She was speaking to an aged but elegant couple I didn't recognize. The woman seemed to be asking her about her dress. My mom was smiling as she slipped her boutique card into the woman’s hand.

Then she was off, ever the perfect socialite.

I remained her shadow. I tried not to drink too much champagne, but I was halfway through the third one before I realized I was already feeling a little light-headed.

When another couple she had been talking to moved along, she looked around for me.

I returned to her side and she held up a business card, her eyes sparkling with success. Although it made me happy that she was doing what she wanted, I wished that I could tell her she did not have to.

Next week I intended to drop the first news of internship money.

“Mrs. Evelyn Anderson?” someone called out.

Mom and I turned to see another elegant couple.

“I haven’t seen you in ages,” the woman said somewhat politely to her.

My mom instantly responded gracefully, their conversation full of smiles and small chatter.

Before Mom could introduce me, I gently slipped away, and once again retreated into the shadows. Perhaps none of this would be so bad after all.

A tray of finger food was passing by so I quickly stepped forward to grab something, but when I saw the Mallory twins approaching, I quickly turned away and retreated back to the shadows, but I was too late.

Eliza allowed her mouth to fall open at my presence while her sister, Elise’s grin was filled with sick amusement.

“Freya! What are you doing here?” Elise asked brightly.

We had both grown up together in circles such as these. It was impossible not to become somewhat acquainted with the daughters of the big shot chairman of investment companies while my father had been in the same field, but thankfully, our paths never crossed in schools or anything beyond these kinds of social gatherings.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps I didn’t give a damn about much anymore, and especially not these two, but I slipped the smoked salmon on dill pikelets into my mouth and walked away without a word.

Searching for my mom, I saw she had moved on to a different set of acquaintances, this time a smaller group, and judging from her smiles I suspected she was doing okay. I left the hall and went in search of the bathroom.

A grandiose center arrangement of flowers had been placed in the Ladies. All of these touches of extravagance used to once be so familiar to me that I had thought little of it, but now it seemed so wasteful.

A few people came and went from the bathroom and I went into a corner stall. A loud group came in just as I was about to rise, so I sat back down for a little while longer, so that they would reapply their lipsticks or whatever business they had and be on their way. I had no desire to make small talk with anyone.

“Did you see Evelyn Anderson?” one began.

I instantly froze.

“I almost fell over when I did,” came the response. “I had to hold onto my husband. We quickly walked away before she could spot us and come over for a meet and greet.”

“What a shameless hussy,” another puffed. “How could she still show her face in such a place after what her husband did?”

“What did he do?” someone else asked.

I rose to my feet.

“He was charged with massive fraud. He was the founder of this virtual reality company that claimed to have some over the top technology. My husband said he applied this to some game set specifically in Italy or Spain, I forget which, and it attracted millions in investment. Turns out it was all an exaggerated lie. The technology did exist but he stole it from some kid, but something must have gone wrong. The boy just disappeared one day and till today, his whereabouts are unknown, but he had put some malware into it so it couldn’t be used. So everything eventually crumbled. What a coward though! He should be sitting in prison after defrauding his associates and investors, but he couldn’t even own up to his crimes and accept the shame. The coward killed himself.”