“Flora! Come in, come in! I could use company.”
“Oh, no, I can't, Mrs. Fallen. I just wanted to stop by and ask if everything's alright.”
“Why wouldn't it be?”
“These past few days I couldn't help but notice that you and your husband have been fighting more often. You know, the walls in these apartments are thin. You can even hear someone snoring next door.”
“I'm so sorry about that. My husband and I have been arguing about…about… oh, looks like I've forgotten what it was. A lot of things, I suppose. Lots of random things that had been pent up over the years!”
“Oh, um, okay, well, try to keep the volume under control. You wouldn't want the lady next door to you overhearing anything. You know how she likes to run her mouth around the neighborhood.”
“Of course, of course.”
“Okay, now that's sorted, I should get going. It was ni–”
“Are you hungry, Flora?”
“I'm pretty hungry. I just got off work, and I need to–”
“I'm fixing up some dinner. You must be hungry being on your feet all day at the store. I could also use company. Won't you please join me for dinner?”
“Well, I've got dinner at home already.”
“Like what? Tater tots? Leftover stale pizza? That's no proper dinner, young lady. Please come in. I've got something better cooking up in the kitchen.”
“It sure does smell good in your home, Mrs. Fallen.”
“I’m making meat pies.”
“Meat pies? Okay, you've got me. I'll have dinner with you.”
“Wonderful! Come in, come in! Make yourself comfortable.”
“I don't think I've ever been inside your place. It's nice. Everything is so…so clean.”
“I keep the plastic on the furniture because it's easier to clean, and no stains will ever get on the fabric.”
“And the carpet too?”
“And the carpet.”
“Is Mr. Fallen home? Will he be joining us for dinner?”
“No, he won't be. He left me the other day.”
“Oh, sorry, to hear that. If you need anything, you just let me know, okay? I remember when my dad left my mom, it was hard on us.”
“Surprisingly, we left things on good terms before he went.”
“Where did he go?”
“He went somewhere far away, somewhere exotic. I can picture him sitting on a lounge chair at a beach and sipping on a Pina colada.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Yes, it does sound rather pleasant. Actually, I'm going on a trip, too.”
“Oh? To where? And when?”
“Somewhere warm and quiet. I plan to leave right after dinner. I've already made the necessary arrangements.”
“Do you need help in the kitchen? I can–oh, whoa… you sure made a lot of meat pies.”
“Twelve, so far. The thirteenth is about ready.”
“Here, let me help you with that.”
“I've got everything under control, Flora. But thank you anyway.”
“At least let me help set the table.”
“No, no, it's alright. Please have a seat in the living room. You can watch something on the television, if you like.”
“Mrs. Fallen…”
“Yes?”
“Your fridge… um, I think it's bleeding.”
“Ah, so it is.”
“T-t-that really is blood!”
“Use your inside voice, Flora. The walls are thin. I wouldn't want the lady next door overhearing anything.”
“Oh god!”
“I wasn't expecting this. I wanted to have a nice dinner with good company before I leave. I guess you'll have to join me on the trip.”
“Mrs. Fallen, please…”
“Just so you know, it's a one-way ticket.”