The Swan

Accusation

David felt disappointed that Maria showed up when he was talking to Eve. But he knows he needs to talk to Maria as soon as possible. He knows he still loves her. But he is infatuated with Eve.

He was home now sitting in his favorite place, the chair by the big window overlooking the beautiful lake. It was shimmering in the sunlight. He loved how the sunset looked. This was his favorite time of day because of this beauty. He was deep in thought and didn't hear Maria come home. She came up behind him and hugged him. David was startled and turned around, out of Maria's arms, which upset her. "Please forgive me, David," she said, tears forming in her eyes.

"It is going to take some time. I can't get those images out of my mind. I know we all have pasts, but d*mn it, Maria! That was..." David couldn't finish his sentence.

"I know. I was at my friend's bachelorette party and I had way too much to drink. I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't even know what I had done until two days later, when my friend showed me the video after it popped up on f*ceb**k. I tried so hard to get it erased or at least hidden. That was a long time ago though. Before you and I even met. I'm not proud of it. That isn't me anymore though. I rarely even drink anything more than wine," Maria pleaded with David to understand. He sighed and pondered on what she had told him. It made sense. He knew she was different. He just couldn't get past the thoughts and visions of what he saw.

"I will try to get past it. It will take time. But I do love you. I want us to move on," David wrapped his arms around Maria and leaned his head down and kissed her. Maria felt elated that David didn't break up with her.

***

Eve was once again sitting at her computer typing away on her next book. She had gotten over the writer's block and was over halfway done. Her story took an unexpected turn but she thought it was good. She also began planning her next move. This time it would be against Maria's best friend, Sarah. She had learned through the grapevine that Sarah was a new artist and is holding an art show gala downtown in a week. Eve thought that would be the perfect time.

She remembered from high school how allergic to poison ivy Sarah was. She had been hiking in the woods back then and broke out severely.

Eve planned to use this knowledge at the art show. It was open to the public, so nobody would think it was weird that she's there.

***

After spending the afternoon in the woods, Eve was able to gather some poison ivy leaves. Using gloves, she placed them in a baggie.

She saw Sarah drop her dress off at the dry cleaners earlier that day and found a way she might be able to get in. Wearing a hat and glasses, Eve studied the dress through the window from outside. Eve was almost certain that was the dress for the gala.

Eve parked her car down the street about a block and, wearing those glasses and that hat, she walked to the back of the dry cleaners building. She noticed that the back door was held open, probably thanks to the nice weather that day.

Looking around, she didn't see anyone watching as she snuck to the door and peeked inside. There were no workers around, so Eve snuck in and crouched down behind a large counter that held boxes. She peered out and looked around. There. She saw the dress hanging on the wall waiting for Sarah to pick it up.

Continually looking around, she listened to her surroundings. She heard the owner talking on the phone at the front of the store. Knowing she didn't have a lot of time, Eve walked quickly to the dress. With gloves, she took some leaves out of the baggie and smeared some around the neck of the dress, on the inside of the dress, and toward the bottom. She heard the owner hang up and she knew she was out of time. Eve hurried behind a large machine until the coast was clear. She got back outside and threw the gloves and baggie in the dumpster before running to her car.

***

Eve was sitting on a bench by a lake in the little park she saw. It was the day before the gala and she had spent the day shopping.

Watching three ducks swim nearby, her phone rang.

"Hello, Eve? It's Martha. How's the book coming along?"

Rolling her eyes, she assured her publisher that it was almost finished. Martha was nice, but strict and to the point. She's been Eve's publisher since day 1.

Hanging up, Eve sighs and closes her eyes, feeling the breeze on her face. She didn't see the visitor that sat next to her.

***

David was holding a small glass of water. Sipping from it, he looked out of his large window. He saw all of the people walking through the park across the street. He saw children playing, dogs running, and a woman sitting by herself next to the lake.

Looking again.

Is that Eve?

He squinted and saw that it was. Feeling excited, he grabbed his keys and left his apartment.

Walking across the street, he strolled toward the area he saw Eve. He hoped she was still there.

There she is. He gradually walked toward Eve and sat down.

"Well, hello there," he tried to sound casual.

Eve opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Hey there stranger," she turned towards him. "What are you doing here?"

"I live up there, in that highrise. Eighth floor," David pointed up to the building. "I was looking around the park and spotted you down here," he felt a bit embarrassed at admitting it to her.

So, he saw me and came all the way down here to see me.

"How sweet of you. To come all the way down here," she smiled. Eve looked over at the water. "Lake is beautiful!"

David followed her gaze. "It is. I love living next to it," he responded.

"Must be wonderful to see this view everyday."

There was silence for a few minutes. They sat together, content. Finally, Eve spoke up. "Will you be going to the art show tomorrow night?"

"Yep. I'm going with Maria," he answered. "Will you be there?" Feeling stupid, of course she is.

"yes. Perhaps I will see you there," she smiled.

***

The place was alive with guests mingling. Apparently, these galas are a reason to wear fancy dresses and expensive jewelry. Servers walked around holding trays of champagne glasses.

Eve was wearing a simple, yet elegant, white dress that hung to her curves. Looking around, she was surprised that she didn't feel nervous. In fact, she was looking forward to tonight's events.

Soon, Eve saw Sarah walk in from the back. She was wearing the dress from the cleaners. It was a short red dress with thin straps. She wore a dangling silver necklace and bangle bracelets.

Maria, of course, was next to her and wore a gray dress that landed at the knees. She wore simple earrings and a short silver necklace.

***

Maria was so proud of her friend. Sarah was an up-and-coming artist, becoming popular in the last five years. She holds these art shows periodically to showcase her recent paintings. Sometimes she even sells her paintings during a show.

Glancing at her watch, she realizes the show will start soon. She wondered where David was. He should have been here by now.

She noticed Sarah scratching her chest pretty intensely. "Are you ok, Sarah?"

Sarah scratched but nodded. "I must have a bug bite or something," she laughs it off.

Maria looks up and sees David walking in through the door. She smiles as she walks toward him. She raises up on her toes and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming," she smiled up at him.

"Of course. My last client ran later than usual," David adjusted his tie.

Sarah stepped up to the podium and began. "I wanted to thank you all for coming. If it wasn't for...." Suddenly Sarah stopped and started scratching everywhere. She broke out into tears and started stomping on the ground. "It won't stop! Make it stop!" She shrieked while digging at her skin all over. Murmuring spread throughout the place.

"What's going on?"

"I think she's going crazy!"

There was some laughter.

Sarah broke out in hives as she ran out of the room. Maria watched her in shock. She looked around the room and her eyes settled on Eve, who was smiling.

"YOU!" Maria exclaimed, pointing accusingly at Eve. Eve quickly wiped her smile away and instead had a look of confusion. Maria quickly stomped toward her.

She saw David rush to intervene the two. Maria was quick and slapped Eve in the face. "That's for what you did to Sarah," she raised her hand getting ready to slap her again. David grabbed her hand.

Eve looked shocked. "What are you talking about, Maria?"

Maria wasn't fooled.

David stepped in. "Maria, what's going on?"

"I will tell you. This woman was responsible for embarrassing me at the reunion and doing what she did to

Sarah," Maria was shaking.

Eve looked confused and hurt. "What? Why would I do something like that?"

Maria stopped. She couldn't admit that she bullied Eve in school and that this was payback.

"Now, Maria, why would Evelyn do something like that?" David asked.

"Um, she just would. Don't fall for her act David. She's trying to get her hooks into you, too!" Maria looked and pleaded with her eyes for David to believe her.

"I assure you that's so far from the truth, Maria!" Eve responded.

"No she isn't," David said at the same time.

"Yes, she is. Don't you see that?" Maria appeared wild with exasperation. "You have to believe me!"

David responded in a gentle way, as though he was dealing with a child. "Maria, calm down. It isn't fair to accuse someone without proof. You can't even tell me why," he seemed concerned.

"I have no reason to hurt you, Maria," Eve said. But Maria could see the smirk on her face.

Maria could hear gossip starting around her. Whispers and snickering. Maria felt embarrassed again. She didn't know how to make David believe her.