Short Fiction Break

Break From Reality. Daily.

  • Stories
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contests
    • Current Contest
    • Past Contests
      • Spring 2022 Contest
      • 10th Anniversary Contest
      • Spring 2021 Contest
      • Fall 2020 Contest
      • Summer 2020 Contest
      • Summer 2019 Contest
      • Fall 2018 Contest
      • Summer 2018 Contest
      • Spring 2018 Contest
      • Winter 2017 Contest
      • Fall 2017 Contest
      • Summer 2017 Contest
      • Spring 2017 Contest
      • Winter 2016 Contest
      • 5th Anniversary Contest
  • Submit

The Dinner Party

December 12, 2017 by Angela Largent 32 Comments

This story is by Angela Largent and won the Grand Prize in our 2017 Winter Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

Angela Largent decided at the age of twelve that she wanted to be a writer, but then Adult Life had its way with her. She currently lives in Wichita, Kansas, with a squirrelly cat, a cranky cat, and a happy dog.

The Dinner Party

It wasn’t my fault.

The little twit had stopped by to tell me that she was sleeping with my husband, as if I didn’t already know. We were in the kitchen, and I was smashing garlic with a butcher knife for easy peeling. The girl was telling me that she was sorry to hurt me but they were in love, so “the right thing to do” was to let him go. I turned toward her, knife still in hand, and the little drama queen gasped and jumped back. Between her ridiculously high heels and the water I had dripped on the floor while rinsing the parsley, she never stood a chance.

I had told Richard that polished concrete was an inappropriate surface for a kitchen floor, but he had insisted that this whole glass and concrete box of a house be cohesive. Taking into consideration his flooring choice and his mistress choice, it was arguably all his fault.

I watched, transfixed, as the pool of blood spread over the shiny floor. How was I going to explain this? And why did it have to happen today of all days?

My in-laws were coming tonight for my annual ingratiation dinner. Richard’s first marriage was a rebellion. His family hated the woman and he had refused to force her to sign a prenuptial agreement. He didn’t make those same mistakes with me. I worked like a dog to win over his parents. My coup de grace was recreating a meal they had eaten on their honeymoon that still made them wax poetic forty years later. Richard proposed the next day.

According to my prenuptial agreement, I will receive a mediocre settlement for each year of marriage until we hit our twentieth anniversary. Then I get twenty million dollars. After biting my tongue and turning a blind eye and all those other cliches for nineteen and a half years, the end was in sight.

But being thrown in prison would ruin everything. So now I not only had to make a crown roast with stuffing, parmesan roasted butternut squash, bacon-wrapped asparagus and a clementine tart, I also had to hide a body.

The first problem was the blood flowing onto the kitchen floor. I grabbed a stack of Irish linen tea towels from a drawer and packed them around the girl’s head. Up close, I could see that her roots needed a touch-up. And that she was barely older than Richard’s daughter.

The next problem was finding something in which to wrap the body. I didn’t have time to rummage through the garage looking for some theoretical tarp. In films they always use a shower curtain, but there weren’t any in the house. My gaze drifted to the swimming pool. Perhaps I could dump her in there and close the cover?

The patio chaise lounge cover. It was waterproof and easily accessible. I could order a new one tomorrow. Actually, I would need to order a whole new set of covers and throw out the old ones so the gardener wouldn’t be suspicious. Look at me, being a criminal mastermind. Maybe this would work out after all.

Dinner was at seven, so the roast needed to be in the oven by three. It was already past two and the meat still needed to be scored and trussed. Time to shake off my stupor and get moving.

What followed was the gruesome comedy of trying to roll a heavy, floppy body into a chaise lounge cover. All I can say is thank God for vinyasa yoga. Namaste.

I threw in the saturated towels and sealed the opening with duct tape, then gave it an experimental tug. This was going to be a workout. A generous pour from a bottle of hydrogen peroxide started the cleaning process on the smeary floor. After scrubbing my hands and arms and putting on a kitchen apron, I attacked the roast.

Once my crown was in the oven, the floor was easy enough to blot clean. I realized with the first soiled paper towel that already sealing the bundle had been a dumb move. Well, live and learn.

Dragging the re-taped bundle, I panted and sweated my way across the hall and out to the garage. When I stood upright and flexed my back, wondering how to heft the thing into my trunk without hurting myself, I saw that it was a moot point. Richard sometimes drives my car when he is low on gas and doesn’t want to stop on his way to work. And I couldn’t very well load his dead mistress into the back of his Range Rover. He would probably notice.

I started to giggle, but managed to bite it back. Maybe a drink would steady my nerves.

Liquor! My in-laws would expect a cocktail before dinner. I had noticed that we were dangerously low on gin and hadn’t ordered more yet.

I trotted back into the house and grabbed the phone. As we are good customers, and good tippers, the store promised delivery within the hour. While placing the order, I realized that the oven was still on high. I lowered the temperature and set the timer for two and a half hours. Potential disaster averted.

My hands were shaking. I took a few deep breaths and focused on the next step in my meal prep. The pastry dough needed to be made far enough in advance to chill in the refrigerator before it could be rolled.

As the stand mixer whirred, I considered my options. Our garage is lined with cabinets, neatly labeled and crammed full. There was no handy hiding spot out there. The bundle could be stowed under a bed in a guest room, but my in-laws usually bring along their Coton de Tulear, so that would be a disaster.

The only space that seemed feasible was the potting shed. My orchids and herbs provide vital splashes of color in the house, and my lovely little shed had been a refuge more times than I could count. It has a Spanish tiled floor and a greenhouse lean-to attached, and always smells of earth and growth. I hated to violate my sanctuary, but it was the only option available.

Another issue was the annual garden party benefit for the art museum. The hosting duty was coveted, and I had won it this year. The event planner was storing some supplies in my potting shed and had a habit of dropping by unannounced to take another measurement in the garden or fuss with the box of party favors.

On her voice mail, I left a message telling her that a lawn treatment was scheduled for the morning, so she should stay away until late afternoon tomorrow. That would give me a little breathing room.

How was I going to dispose of the body? The thought nearly paralyzed me, but only for a moment. That was a problem for tomorrow. Right now, I needed to start the stuffing. Wild rice takes forever to cook.

Normally I clean as I go, so the kitchen is sparkling by the time dinner is on the table. Today, the dirty dishes would need to be stashed somewhere. I pictured myself throwing the roasting pan out a window. No, the patio storage box. There would be plenty of room in there once the furniture covers were disposed of.

Feeling the hysteria start to rise within me, I concentrated on the magic number twenty. My sentence was almost over. Just six short months until my release. Failure at this point was unfathomable.

I had managed to drag the bundle as far as the patio when the door bell rang. Heart pounding, I closed the drapes covering the French doors then let the nice man from the liquor store in with my delivery. On an ordinary day we would flirt a little, but he took one look at me and beat a hasty retreat. Once he was gone, I darted back outside.

Ghoulish task finally accomplished, I powered through the rest of the cooking. That last hour was a double-time blur of sauteeing, roasting, measuring, draining, wrapping and stirring. I even managed to shower and get my hair into a simple French twist while the pastry cream was cooling.

The clementines were prepped and the apricot preserves were melting for glaze when the sound of the garage door opening carried into the kitchen. Richard walked in on me arranging cheese and grapes on a platter, the perfect picture of a trophy wife.

“It smells fantastic in here,” he said, getting tonic water and a lime from the refrigerator.

“I’m running a little behind.”

“That’s okay. You can blame that ditzy event planner. I almost ran her down when I pulled into the drive.”

I froze. “What?”

“She said she needed to grab something from the shed, since you said she couldn’t come by tomorrow.”

That’s when we heard the scream.

Filed Under: 2017 Winter Writing Contest, Drama, Hot, Thriller/Suspense

About Angela Largent

Angela Largent decided at the age of twelve that she wanted to be a writer, but then Adult Life had its way with her. She currently lives in Wichita, Kansas, with a squirrelly cat, a cranky cat, and a happy dog.

« Snow Day
Into the Abyss »

Comments

  1. Lucy Barge says

    November 12, 2017 at 1:42 am

    Great story! It really left a touching impact on me.

    Reply
  2. Stu Ducklow says

    December 7, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    Absolutely outstanding!

    Reply
  3. Shane Fitzpatrick says

    December 7, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    Absolutely had me roaring laughing and crying in equal measure as to how it might end!! Your description of food prep and kitchen organisation is brilliant- you’re clearly a fabulous cook aswell as an exceptional writer! Huge congratulations on your win!

    Reply
  4. Antonia P. Wright says

    December 7, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    Oh Angela, well done!

    I loved every word. C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S. Not one to condone crime, but I was rooting for the beautiful trapped trophy wife. That she would get to twenty years, get the twenty mill, spend it all, then get caught, and write best selling books while in prison.

    SHAME ON ME…

    I look forward to reading more from you.
    All the best

    Antonia P. Wright

    Reply
  5. Selma Writes. says

    December 7, 2017 at 7:06 pm

    Congratulations Angela Largent— from the bottom of my heart. Selma.

    Reply
  6. Terrye says

    December 7, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    Awesome! I love a story with a twist, and you had such great detail in the scenes, I found myself plotting all along with the harried murderess!

    Reply
  7. Terri says

    December 8, 2017 at 1:28 am

    Great story; great writing! Congratulations!
    Thanks for writing,
    Terri

    Reply
  8. Beverly Brown says

    December 8, 2017 at 2:01 am

    Congratulations! Very Well done!

    Reply
  9. Johanne Winwood says

    December 8, 2017 at 6:20 am

    Brilliantly written, perfectly paced. A master class in keeping the tension going. Congratulations on the win.

    Reply
  10. Patricia Kolandai says

    December 8, 2017 at 1:04 pm

    Fantastic! I just had to laugh at the end. What a great story.

    Reply
  11. Debra Campoli says

    December 9, 2017 at 2:53 am

    CONGRATS ANGELA! I LOVED this story so very much! It was a no-brainer for it to WIN! I actually screamed out loud at the ending! GREAT GREAT TWIST! I usually see them coming but this just threw me!

    I LOVE YOUR WORK!!

    Deb xxx

    Reply
  12. Sef says

    December 9, 2017 at 4:36 am

    This is brilliant. I love how you weave the idea of her marriage sentence with the prospect of actual prison. The specific details are perfect and I like the image of the wife doing her time to get the twenty million. The humour lifts this into something sublime. Well done, and well deserved!

    Reply
  13. Dave says

    December 9, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    Angela,
    Your writing is so dense! Each of your words describes, heightens tension, adds humor, or moves the story along. I can’t be disappointed coming in as a runner-up. Your writing gives me something to shoot for.
    Terrific Job!

    Reply
  14. Raheemah says

    December 11, 2017 at 9:08 am

    WoW! I was on the edge of my seat wondering how it would end. You didn’t disappoint me. Great work here, Angela. And Congrats on your win.

    It is a well deserved one.

    Reply
  15. Victor Phillips says

    December 12, 2017 at 10:50 am

    Hope the crown roast isn’t burned. You’ve served up a fabulous feast!!

    Hearty congratulations, Angela!

    Reply
  16. Hannah says

    December 12, 2017 at 10:56 am

    Amazing job Angela! This story had me on the edge of my seat and laughing at the same time. Congratulations on your win! This is a great story!

    Hannah

    Reply
  17. Linda Newlin says

    December 12, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    Congratulations, great story!

    Reply
  18. Billie Wade says

    December 12, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Excellent writing, Angela. I laughed and rooted for the protagonist both at the same time. Your story kept me riveted. Congratulations on your win.

    Reply
  19. Cindy says

    December 12, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    An absolute feast for the mind! Loved this. Congratulations and well deserved.

    Reply
  20. Jan Darling says

    December 12, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    Terrific! What a great story, the betrayed wife had my vote from the beginning, I just knew the mistress would still be in kindergarten. Tense, exciting writing. Huge congrats. It’s a killer.

    Reply
  21. Gretna Bohn-Hayden says

    December 13, 2017 at 4:37 am

    Perfect!

    Gretna

    Reply
  22. Mark Wooley says

    December 13, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    Excellent! The amazing tension builds like the surreal situation it describes.
    Originality is a great virtue, and this writer threads the gamut of human emotion, including humor, all of which falls into the “gallows” category.
    And what a twist at the end.
    Very enjoyable read.

    Reply
    • Jan Largent says

      December 13, 2017 at 7:40 pm

      You nailed it, Mark Wooley!

      Reply
  23. Grover says

    December 16, 2017 at 3:49 pm

    I loved this! So calculated with great time management skills thrown in. The twist was so well done but I was really backing the trophy wife to escape her loveless marriage….. Maybe she could blame one of Richards other mistresses 😉

    Reply
  24. Jola Olofinboba says

    December 19, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Brilliant! A well-deserved win! Congratulations, Angela!
    Best wishes,
    Jola

    Reply
  25. Vanessa Mootyen says

    February 16, 2018 at 11:17 am

    Beautifully crafted. Well done!

    Reply
  26. Katie says

    March 13, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    Hilarious! We get a good look into her mind and wonder how the human race has managed to survive. Well done!

    Reply
  27. Juanita Danzy says

    March 13, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    Angela, excellent writing, you give insight into a real criminal mind, although the character was not a criminal, it reveals how we as regular people can think like a criminal if in a criminal situation. The story is a sure masterpiece. It would make a great TV movie in my opinion. Congratulation.

    Reply
  28. Kit says

    March 14, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    Brilliant!! The pacing, the tension, the humour, and the way your character weaves in and out of dinner prep and body-disposing tasks is absolutely perfect, hilarious, and a delight to read. And the wrap up with that event planner at the end! Stellar storytelling and a well deserved win. Congratulations!

    Reply
  29. Jim p. says

    March 15, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    Just another busy day in the life of a multitasking housewife

    Reply
  30. Margaret Nelson says

    April 28, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    Very funny story! “Wild rice takes forever to cook”…she’s more frantic about the dinner than she is about the body!
    Well done!

    Reply
  31. Angela says

    October 28, 2018 at 11:15 pm

    Great story Angela – I would have loved to know what happened after the party planner ran out of there!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Stories

Divine January

...

Read More »

Shangaville Circus — The Wooden Fish

...

Read More »

...

Read More »

Of Bananas and Coconuts

...

Read More »

My Master's Robes

...

Read More »

Resources for Writers

The Write Practice | The Write Shop
Let’s Write a Short Story | Character Test Podcast | Point of View Guide | Best Software for Writers | How to Publish a Short Story

Best of Short Fiction Break

Suspense Short Stories | Magical Realism Short Stories | More Coming Soon

Story Ideas

Short Story Ideas | Mystery Story Ideas | Romance Story Ideas | Thriller Story Ideas | Fantasy Story Ideas | Sci-fi Story Ideas

CONTACT || PUBLICATION RIGHTS || Copyright © 2023