Dinner with the McCormicks

Rachel handed Penny a bottle of fine red wine as she stepped over the threshold. "For your hospitality."

"Wow, thank you!" Penny said, smiling. She'd done herself up a bit too, still plain by Rachel's standards, but she'd put on lipstick and a dress that showed a little shoulder. Rachel was back to wondering if the presence of a younger woman was threatening to the housewife. "We're seated right through there. I'm just finishing up dinner, be there in a moment."

"Sounds great!" Rachel flashed a row of pearly teeth.

"You look great, by the way!" Penny said before rushing back off to the kitchen.

Rachel made her way into the dining room, pleased to see John already seated across the table. Moving deliberately, Rachel took a seat opposite him, adjusting her dress pointedly, and watching as his gaze stuck on her breasts.

"Naughty boy," Rachel whispered. "Keep your eyes up here."

John's eyes flashed with something like anger. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I was invited to dinner," Rachel said coyly.

"We're through," John said. "That was a mistake. Alright? It's over."

Rachel just nodded, not wanting to fight. It was a common pattern. Regret. Denial. He'd reach the bargaining stage soon enough.

The two were interrupted by a girl stomping down the stairs, slouching at the head of the table with what could only be described as a scowl.

"Hi," Rachel said brightly. "I'm Rachel, and you are...?"

"Eve," said Eve darkly. "Dad, why can't I go to the party?"

John sighed wearily. "Because, your mom wants us to have a nice family dinner tonight with the new neighbor. You can go out another night."

"But I'm eighteen now! I should be able to make my own decisions." Eve crossed her arms, sinking even further into her chair.

Rachel pursed her lips, tucking away that scrap of information for later. She didn't usually go for young girls, but Eve was pretty, in that bimbo-cheerleader-model sort of way, and daughters had a... certain way of unraveling their fathers. Still, that was way down the road of corruption, if Rachel got to that.

"Dinner's ready!" Penny cried, carrying out a tray laden with meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Rachel's mouth watered at the sight, and for a moment she even forgot why she was really there. As much as Rachel excelled in certain areas, cooking was not her forte. Penny, it seemed, was an excellent homemaker on that front.

"Looks delicious," Rachel said, then with a sly glance towards John, "I want it in my mouth."

John gulped. This was going to be a long night for him.