"Nigel called it. She actually came back."
"Yeah, and it's only been half an hour..."
"That's how it is with women after they've had a kid. Easiest people in the world to control."
"Not all of them. It's the ones like Nigel's wife, stay-at-home moms from out of town with no family around. Those are the easiest."
"Gotta hand it to Nigel, though. Isn't his wife originally from Seaview City? How'd he get her to follow him back to a nowhere town like ours?"
"Because she's in love with him, obviously! Have you seen how much charm our boy Nigel's got?"
All eyes turned to Leona. She covered her face, cheeks flushed pink.
"Why are you all looking at me?"
"Stop it!"
The teasing wouldn't let up, and Leona's laughter threaded through the catcalls and whistles.
Every word landed like a needle in my chest.
I didn't know how long the noise went on. By the time Nigel pushed open the bedroom door, I'd already cried myself to sleep.
"I'm driving Leona home. Clean up while I'm gone."
Through the open door, I could see her standing there, waiting for him.
Again.
Any one of those guests could have dropped her off on their way. But somehow, it was always Nigel.