Cross Roads

The door opened and cold air blew into the room when Mori walked in, her mood apparently as sour as the weather. She looked at the odd group of people and saw the absence of junk piles that normally bordered the walls of the room. “Cue, you let that snake of a husband come in here tonight, and I will quit. I swear, I’ll quit. He’s a lousy cook, anyway, we don’t need him.”

Cue walked over to her and noticed the red skin that was beginning to bruise the side of her face. “Come here.” He put his arms around her, pulling her close. He held her tight for a few moments without saying a word and then walked with her to the others. “Mori, I got it. He’s now officially banned from Sticks. He’s gone too far this time, I’m so sorry I didn’t figure this out before now.”

“Come on, Quinton. Let’s get back to our real problems.” Gloria glared at them. “Mori, so you have your own issues. That’s not why we’re all here right now, so buck up and help us, or turn around and go back to your wife-beatin’ man. Just don’t take the attention away from our real purpose here.”

Mori froze and glared at Gloria. Her face became red as she pushed Cue away and lunged at her. “You witch! Who asked you to be here?”

She grabbed Gloria, pulled her to the floor, and pounced on her. Gloria was quick to catch her fist before it struck and they rolled on the floor, tangled together as one. Ben and Cue jumped in to break them up but not until both women had engaged in hair pulling and fingernail gouging. Cue held onto Gloria while Ben pulled Mori to her feet and forced her to follow him to the other side of the room.

“Both of you, get a grip.” Cue was furious. “Mori, you’d better get used to Gloria’s presence, she’s here to stay, at least, for now. And, Gloria. Would you quit baiting her into a fight? We need you both to help out with the real crisis here.” He trembled with anger as he bolted out of the room.