“Who would dress like that?!” Brad immediately regretted the outburst, but having just stepped into the warmth and wiping the wintry slush from his eyes, he was taken off guard.

Loretta Vox stood, back to the doorway, a looming presence in black, save for the glitter of a tiara in her upswept hair and a glance of sparkle on one exposed shoe.

“Is that a feather boa?” Brad whispered now, still incredulous. His wife suppressed a giggle.

Loretta had seen them now, and the recognition on her face beamed with malice. “Oh!” she exclaimed, her voice sultry and booming, “My greatest fans are here. Bless you darlings for coming!” Like batwings, her arms opened in a welcoming gesture revealing gloved hands.

“All she needs is a cigarette holder,” Brad thought, and then the realization struck him. He knew this woman.

“Such a tragedy that brings us together, is it not.” Loretta batted impossibly long eyelashes and grimaced. “Enough of that, do come in, so I can tell you all about myself.”

She gestured toward the coat room.

Brad took out his phone and hit speed dial. “Hey Buddy; do you know what your wife is doing tonight?”

I could hear the laughter across the room. “Enjoy yourself!” Ric answered.

I led my ‘greatest fans’ into the dining room where the rest of the play was set to begin. Tonight I was Loretta Vox, Opera Diva and the audience was mine.

“Just don’t embarrass me,” Brad begged.

(I should probably explain that for a few years I worked with a Murder Mystery troupe.)

**

Laughing at ourselves is such good medicine, and I hope this week’s challenge brought everyone a bit of cheer. Thanks to all who participated. Please catch up on any post you might have missed:

Oh no!! Did I do that??, radhikasreflection
That One Slap, Blog of Hammad Rais
Embrarrassing, Reena Saxena
A Photographer’s Dilemma, I Write Her
One of those days, Eugi’s Causerie II
Half Mast, parallax
Red-Faced Moments, Sgeoil
Sharing Thoughts

See you tomorrow for a new challenge!