A Ghost From the Past

Chloe’s mouth went dry. The tray went heavy as if gravity had been turned up. The woman slid off the sunglasses and tucked them in her hair with a thoughtless elegance Chloe remembered too well. Jessica Morgan. Northwood High’s walking announcement. Senior year: cheer captain, class treasurer, homecoming queen in a dress that looked poured on. The same cool, appraising eyes. The same nearly-smile that wasn’t friendly so much as familiar with victory. Ten years should have sanded edges; somehow they’d sharpened.