Peace Offering

Silvia Saige knocks once. Emily hangs back, shoulders tight, eyes on the porch planks. Silvia hits it again—harder. The door cracks open and Lauren Phillips fills the frame in purple leggings and a sports bra that barely restrains her chest. The fabric clings like second skin. Silvia’s breath snags. Emily swallows an audible gulp. Lauren’s smile flickers—then dies—when she catches the strangers’ hungry eyes. Inside the couch swallows them, Silvia and Emily inches apart, thighs tense. Lauren crosses bare legs, speaks soft about her daughter not being home, about rules, about anger. A log pops somewhere deeper in the house. Silvia’s nails dig tiny crescents into her palm. Lauren exhales through her teeth. “Guess the cat’s out. I’m a lesbian now. My kid hates it.” Silence drops like cut film. Silvia and Emily freeze, pupils dark. They flick one quick look at Lauren’s smooth stomach, at the rise of her breasts—then longer eye-fucks at each other. Heat floods between all three like spilled wine. Lauren leans forward. Tits test the limits of the fabric. “I’ll make it square—just say the word.” Emily’s nod is immediate. Silvia’s teeth scrape her bottom lip, then the word leaks out anyway. Lauren is already sliding toward them before the couch cushions cool.