An Unholy Sunday Afternoon 8 O'Clock

8 O'Clock
"Oh, yes there was a man who came by before."
Everyone was settled in, and the conversations had started. Jules and Caroline were talking about something quietly while Sophie mentioned the man she had seen
"It was the strangest thing, I swear!"
"Well, what did he say to you?" Casey asked with a bit of amusement in her voice. Such an idea!
"He asked me at least twice to make sure that I was alright!" Sophie answered, as if it was the oddest thing.
"Perhaps he thought you were someone else?" Deardra interjected. Sophie thought for a moment, spinning her glass while looking deep in thought.
"No, I swear he knew exactly who I was, or at least, who he wanted me to be."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it wasn't he who was confused. I was! After he was done, I asked him who he was, but he only smiled and left! What an odd thing it was, I swear."
"Did he seem dangerous?" asked Michelle, finally joining in. Georgia and Beatrice were whispering something to each other and giggling.
"I mean, my knowledge of such things, working in the hospital and all, where more than one woman has come in bruised up quite nicely, made me a bit wary, but not at first, no. When I saw him through the peak hole I thought he was going to ask for a cup of sugar or something."
The girls laughed. Nobody took it too seriously, this odd man. Sophie didn't seem so apprehensive about it, leading the giggling that ensued. It was all folly on Sunday, no seriousness allowed, it seemed.
Much more time passed with various stories of similar magnitude. The most compelling was Casey's story of hiding her cat from her landlord when he came to her apartment inquiring of all the fur on the furniture. She had been quite clever, saying that she had been at her sisters house in Queens where they had three cats. The suspicious landlord even went as far as to ask for the cat's names and the address of her sister's residence, but Casey yelled at him thoroughly while standing in front of a cupboard where her cat started purring. It was all very funny, very brave of her.
And then a phone rang. Phones were off limits on the Sunday meetings; no distractions from the important conversation. Julia looked more than disappointed as the ringing continued, when finally Georgia realized that it was her phone.
"Oh my, I'm so sorry! I need to keep my phone on, what with my father and all." The girls nodded in understanding, all except Julia. Sophie could have sworn that she saw her rolling her eyes, but she didn't dare mention it. Everyone went silent as Georgia answered the phone.
"Yes, hello? Yes, this is her."
There was a pause, the only sound the music in the background and babbling coming from the bedazzled cell phone. Georgia's face became more serious as the time went on.
"When did it happen?" Everyone began to assume the worst, Beatrice holding her hand to her chest in shock.
"Alright, yes. No, I'll come over after I'm done here. I understand, mother, but-"
More mumbling, but it was louder than before.
"Mother, I'm just as devastated as you are, but goddammit, I'm going to enjoy my night!" She slammed her phone shut, some of the gems falling off. Everyone looked at her in surprise, never having seen such force displayed by Georgia.
"Oh, I'm sorry Sophie, I'll pick them up-"
"Don't worry about it, the cleaning lady comes tomorrow."
There was a silence while Georgia picked herself up from reaching down to pick up the gems.
"I'm so sorry, Georgia!" Beatrice cried. Everyone chorused with similar condolences.
"Thank you, everyone. It was his time; I'm alright, no really." Everyone continued while Julia sat back in her chair, focusing on her emptying wine glass. When the sympathizing started to calm down, everyone began to notice Julia's outward apathy, or was there a slight smile on her face?
"Julia!" whispered Michelle. Everyone heard it, but everyone still acted like they hadn't seen Julia.
"What?" responded Julia, so loud that it was obvious she wanted everyone to hear her.
"Julia, Georgia's father just died, is it wrong to show a bit a sympathy?" It was odd, that was the first time any of them actually said what had happened. Throughout it all, Georgia looked down at her purse, looking like something was going to come out and save her.
Why doesn't she leave? thought Sophie. It was so odd, torturing oneself.
"Well, what am I supposed to say when she's getting all the sympathy she needs in a check?"
No one said anything, the illusion that Julia had simply forgotten her manners vanishing. Georgia finally looked straight at Julia.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean, Jules?" Her ferocity from the phone call was slowly returning. Julia continued to stay leaned back in her armchair, finishing her wine before answering.
"Oh do tell me you're kidding! We all know that that man left you more than enough to keep you set for life!"
"How dare you suggest that I wanted my father to leave us for money!"
Julia kept a smug look on her face, looking a bit more in disbelief each second. She poured herself some more wine. Sophie felt like she should take the bottle from her; she wasn't welcome any more.
"I'm not saying you'd sell him, my dear. I'm just trying to make sense of why anyone would take pity in someone with such compensation-" Georgia stood up, slamming her wine glass on the coffee table.
"You think you can walk in here and say you know me! You're an old bitch, trying to bask in your fleeting youth while keeping us in awe of your ever-growing wisdom!" It was surprisingly articulate for an anger speech, but Sophie had a feeling that Georgia had thought about it before.
"I know you better than you seem to think, child!"
"Oh, I'm a child, now am I!"
"I suggest that you leave, Julia," said Michelle, surprising everyone.
"Oh, look at this! Everyone ganging up on your only connection to common sense!"
"That's enough, Julia!" Michelle stood up now.
"Well, alright then, if that's what you wish." She put down her glass and gathered her purse and glasses. She finally stood up, and Sophie heard her whisper something under her breath.
"What's that Julia? You're going to insult me now! You have quite the nerve!" she exclaimed, answering the mutter. Georgia sat back down, looking dizzy. It was the two of them under focus, and all eyes were trained on the scene. It was quite a sight, a group of sophisticated women in expensive dresses all watching a fierce exchange.
"Well, I wouldn't dare insult the great Michelle! Everyone likes the funny one who gives the great advice, meanwhile she herself can't keep her marriage under control! I've heard your husband had quite a fancy for the twenty year-olds."
"Fuck you!" shouted Michelle, and she lashed at Julia. Her eyes flashed open wide in shock as she fell from the unexpected shove. It was like slow motion as Michelle covered her mouth with her hands while Julia's head bashed into a lamp and then the table supporting it.
No one moved, and the music continued. Sophie saw Julia's blood on the corner of the table, and tears started to roll down Michelle's cheek.
It was 8:59.