Playground

A fresh cork unloaded from the bottle of bubbly and fizz flooded outward. The leer on Geraldine’s face stretched to an uncomfortable wideness.

“Did you see that?! I told you they were turning on each other! He literally stabbed her in the back!” Geraldine yelled.

Her glee only paused while she took another huge slurp from the fresh bottle.

“You are marvelous, my lady!” Fuchs replied.

Fuchs extended his glass, and Geraldine sloppily filled it to the point of overflow. The twist of joy and madness reflecting in each of their pupils was for a job well done. He remembered drawing up the blueprint for the saw slide. It was one of the structures he was most proud of. Seeing the device reach its intended potential for the first time left a warm sensation around his stony heart.

“And zhe boy’s father, he told him to!”

As Fuchs continued to laugh, Geraldine grew somewhat somber in her expression.

“I just can’t believe that he stabbed her. I never would’ve imagined that they’d use the knife on each other but…” She composed herself, fighting back a tear. “But today is truly a special day.”

Fuchs slowed his laugh, taking notice that Geraldine had moved on from the giggles.

“Zhat, it is,” he concurred.

Fuchs raised his glass up to his lips and took a generous swig in celebration.

Geraldine controlled her lip quiver and subtly wiped away the lone tear that showed in the corner of her eye before it could drop.

Her eyes were back on Tanya again. After Geraldine bet on her, the girl continued to advance and show promise. She’d added an extra layer of excitement to Geraldine’s special day. If all went well, Geraldine could capitalize on their blossoming relationship long after the nefarious events on the playground ceased.

“Don’t look so sad. It is not over yet,” Fuchs said.

“I suppose you’re right,” she replied.

Geraldine found her grin again.

“I’ve still got a few more tricks up my sleeve.”