51: Battlefields

“You’re still looking a bit groggy this morning,” Lily commented as they stood in the Trust’s lobby, waiting on the executive lift. “What did you do after the movie yesterday?”

“We took the children to the Fair, but for their sakes, we weren’t there late.”

Before them, the lift chimed its arrival, its doors opening to receive them. As they boarded, Evelyn studied her reflection in the elevator’s mirrored walls, noting the grayish circles lingering under her eyes, while Lily selected the buttons for their floors. “What time was that?”

“We left immediately after the fireworks finished.” She faced Lily and shrugged. “Still haven’t caught up on my sleep, I guess.”

Lily peered at her. “You’re not feeling poorly again, are you?”

“No. Nothing since that day.”

“Good. I’d prefer we don’t have to go through that again.”

The lift stopped at the nineteenth floor, chimed, then the doors opened.

Giving Evelyn a quick hug, Lily hurried out, waving as the doors closed. “I’ll see you at the fountain at