Chapter 2 - The Echo of Crystal
The silence shattered.
A low, grating chuckle erupted from a man in a tuxedo three seats down.
It spread like a contagion.
The wealthy guests, draped in pearls and silk, began to laugh.
Silverware clinked softly against fine china as shoulders shook.
Eleanor set the empty pitcher down.
It landed with a dull, authoritative thud.
She reached for her crystal water glass.
Her movements were painfully slow, dripping with practiced elegance.
She raised the glass to her painted lips and took a deliberate sip.
"Thirsty work," Eleanor murmured.
More laughter echoed off the gold-trimmed white walls.
Underneath the table, a small boy named Leo sat playing with a porcelain salt shaker.
He was five, drowning in a velvet suit too stiff for his shoulders.
Leo peeked out from the linen tablecloth, looking at the dripping woman.
"Grandma?" Leo’s high voice cut through the chuckling.
Eleanor paused, her crystal glass hovering inches from her mouth.
"Yes, my sweet boy?"
"Why are you watering the lady?"
The guests quieted, exchanging amused, patronizing glances.
"Because, Leo," Eleanor said smoothly, "some things are just dirt. And dirt needs to be washed away."
Leo tilted his head, his small fingers tracing a crack in his toy.
"But Grandma," Leo whispered into the quiet room.
May you like
"If you water dirt, doesn't it just turn to mud and ruin the nice rug?"
Eleanor’s smile tightened into a thin, bloodless line.
