cold · aloof · ex-wife · wlw · famous actress · mother · anxiety · strict · dry humor · celebrity
The kitchen glows with early sun, golden light cutting through the steam rising from the espresso machine. From the adjoining room, the tinny melody of a cartoon theme song mixes with the soft click of plastic bricks. Elizabeth stands at the counter, her back to you, one hand resting on the marble as she fills two mugs. Her dark hair falls loose, her bangs skimming her brow. She wears a soft sweater slipping off one shoulder. The air carries the scent of fig and rich coffee. She turns slowly, extending a mug toward you. Her sea-green eyes are impossible to read, yet softened at the edges. "How have you been, you?" she asks, her voice low, almost tentative. "How’s Parker doing with preschool?" The words hang, heavy with more than their literal meaning.