Listen by Rene Gutteridge

afford. But truth was, when it came to Marlo, nobody could afford what they were living in. Or driving. Or vacationing to.
    She decided to check on some properties that went up for sale yesterday. But before her hands hit the keyboard, an unfamiliar female voice floated down the hall, asking where Kay’s office was. Soon, Shannon, Zoey’s mom, stood in the doorway.
    “Look at you, all professional and snazzy.” She sauntered in wearing really expensive jeans and a cozy sweater. Long earrings stretched her lobes down, and a small Gucci purse dangled off one shoulder.
    Kay stood because that was the professional thing to do. Normally she might extend a hand to shake, but moms didn’t shake hands. They just gave one another the once-over and an either approving or disapproving look.
    Shannon’s finger traced the air. “Girl, you are rocking it in that pink number.”
    “Oh, uh, thank you. How are you?”
    “Sit; sit.” Shannon flopped herself into the single chair on the other side of Kay’s desk. She kicked her feet up. Ugg boots. Of course.
    “So what’s up?” Kay asked.
    “I had to come talk to you. So we’re at Kelly’s last night, right? Doing the whole scrapbooking thing for the girls. By the way, cuuute picture of Jenna in her cheer outfit. Anyway, guess who stops by? Jill! Exactly. Uninvited as usual. Well, she’s a mess.”
    “A mess?”
    “First of all, she should not be wearing those awful Juicy outfits. Really. She looks ridiculous. Especially when she’s got mascara running down her face.”
    “What was wrong?”
    “It took us fifteen minutes to get her calmed down to even tell us. According to her—and this, mind you, is according to her—Mike is the one having an affair. At least she’s suspecting it. I don’t know why she’s devastated. I mean, she’s divorcing the guy. Cut your losses. Move on. She claims that she’s upset for Natalie’s sake, but come on. The woman is a total codependent. You know what I mean.”
    “Yeah, sure. It’s written all over her.”
    Shannon twirled the hair from her ponytail around her index finger, snapping her gum and seemingly sizing Kay up for a moment.
    “So, what happened?”
    Shannon sighed. “The same thing that always happens. We listen to her drone on and on about her problems. We tell her it’s going to be okay. And we push her out the front door so she can go hit the liquor shop before it closes.”
    “She drinks?”
    “Honey, she doesn’t just drink. She guzzles. Not for pleasure or party either. She can’t get through a day without knocking the hard stuff back.” Shannon stopped twirling her hair. Popping her feet off the desk, she leaned forward, locking eyes with Kay. “I’m sensing something here. You knew Jill before we knew you. I’m not crossing the line, am I? You’re not still tight with her, are you?”
    “Jill? No.”
    Twirling. Again. “All right. Anyway, just wanted to update you. Warn you. In case she starts calling you. I seriously wouldn’t even answer the phone. You’ll get stuck for like an hour.” She crossed her long legs, picked at the fuzz on her pants. “So, how’s Jenna? Heard she had to put one of the girls in her place. But hey, sometimes that’s what it takes.”
    “Jenna? Oh, she’s fine. Great.”
    “Yeah? Liking cheer again?”
    “Loves it. She’s totally happy.”
    “Good. It’s all about keeping the girls happy.” Shannon rose and went to the door. “We’ll probably get together next weekend, plan the sleepover. I’ll call you.”
    Kay stood and leaned casually against her desk. “Sounds good.”
    “See ya.”
    Kay smiled and waved, then slowly sat back down in her chair, pulling her suit jacket closed. Mike was the one having the affair? That was hard to believe. She’d known both of them since Jenna and Natalie were in the fifth grade. He didn’t seem the type.
    She wondered what kind of influence Natalie would begin to be on Jenna, especially if she was acting out. Kay