Page 7 of Old Flames

“Oh, yes,” Ayesha answered. “We met on a panel some years ago. A dear friend.” She then pivoted to the topic that interested her most. “Is it serious with Big Money?”

Vicky let out a dry laugh. “Don’t call him that! It sounds all wrong when you say it.”

“Well, what’s his real name?” Ayesha asked.

Vicky waved away the question. “It doesn’t matter, because it’s not serious.”

“He’s taking care of your pet while you’re away. Maybe it is,” Ayesha said. “You could have asked your mother to take the cat.”

“You think Barbara would take time out from whatever she’s got going on to make sure Kit Kat takes his medicine?” Vicky asked. “Be so for real.”

“I don’t know Barbara well enough to say,” Ayesha retorted. “That is, I don’t know Barbara at all.”

They went on like this, talking in circles, while a spark lit in the back of Jules’s mind and brought her back to one chilly September night, ten years ago, under a full moon.

Light?

Of course.

Interstitial

The Key West Literary Society Welcomes You to Our 5th Annual Lecture Series

Dear Authors:

We are pleased to welcome you to our beloved city by the sea for a weekend filled with culture, debate, art, history, and fun. By the end of your stay, you will earn the title of honorary conch. May you learn, love, and grow under the Key West sun. May the city’s history, mysteries, and lore forever inspire you.

Daphne Narcisse

Creative Director

Order of Events

Thursday, March 22

6:00 p.m.Garden Party Reception

Friday, March 23

8:00 a.m.Morning Snorkel

5:00 p.m.Opening Remarks

6:00 p.m.Vicky Paraiso & Sebastien Smith

7:00 p.m.Dinner

9:00 p.m.Ghost Tour

Saturday, March 24

11:00 a.m.Hemingway Home Tour

12:30 p.m.Lunch

5:00 p.m.Mathis Taylor, Ayesha Eze Grant & July Levy Jones

7:00 p.m.Dinner