Houston, Texas

Watching Herbert and Katherine through the living room window, the two standing on the patio talking and smiling as they always had, Rebecca finished her glass of champagne and swapped the empty coupe for a full one. She'd need more than the two drinks to get through the night, of that she was sure.

It was Katherine's prom night and their wedding night but Herbert had made it clear which event he considered the more important. Their remarriage was a legal formality, not an emotional opportunity to renew their vows. Her original marriage to Digger and the lack of paperwork dissolving that union made the validity of her marriage to Herbert questionable and for the sake of clarity as far as relationship property and estate planning went they'd opted to stand in front of a judge and commit to each other again.

Before Katherine had become an amateur detective and pulled loose the threads holding together the backstory she'd constructed for herself, she'd considered her marriage to be one that was wholly satisfying, privately and publicly, however since everything had unravelled Herbert could barely seem to touch or speak to her without his feelings regarding her past showing themselves in some way.

Flying to Amarillo and back earlier in the day had felt exactly as she was sure Herbert meant it to, humiliating. They had an image amongst their social group as a happy, stable couple, meaning what was really going on between them was not to be discussed and even more so, couldn't be found out through the grapevine, hence the Texas Panhandle courthouse wedding. Their first wedding had been something to share but their second was something to hide, even from Katherine.

Preoccupied with her booking at the beauty salon and thoughts of the evening ahead, Katherine hadn't questioned their plans at breakfast, which was just as well because she really hadn't wanted to get into a discussion about the past again. It was awkward enough knowing that Katherine knew of her mistakes and had judged her for them without her learning of more details and passing even more judgement.

Hearing the doorbell ring, she turned and walked out into the foyer, finding Florencia already greeting Katherine's date Mark and his parents.

Showing the three out onto the patio, she welcomed the distraction that came with conversation with Geraldine, Mark's mother. The discussion was as expected, going from how lovely Katherine looked in her deep blue crêpe de chine caped dress, to what a beautiful pair she and Mark made and then on to what was to follow graduation in just a couple of months, but predictable was a comfort considering her private life.

Noting the way Mark looked at Katherine, she could only dream of Herbert having such affection for her now. They were a couple who weren't dating and were unlikely to continue to stay in contact past the start of the fall semester, but their present was pleasant and it was obvious that that was all that mattered to them.

"Rebecca?"

Turning her head at the sound of her name, she was surprised to find Herbert's hand outstretched.

"We're going to pose for a photograph."

Realising she'd missed part of a discussion and he wasn't simply being kind, her heart sank, prompting her to recognise that she'd felt hopeful that things had magically changed between them.

Standing for the picture, Herbert's hand only lightly touching her back was a reminder of how awkward things were going to be when they were alone again. He'd been avoiding contact with her for months now but something he'd said earlier about doing everything by the book had her thinking that wasn't to last. She hadn't been a blushing bride since she'd married him the first time and that had been an act considering that by then she'd already had four children, however now, she was nervous.

Separating from her husband, retreating to the patio table where the tray of champagne sat, she collected another drink, looking around to see whether anyone was watching before gulping it down and swapping yet another empty coupe for a full one.

Returning to the group just as Katherine announced they'd best be leaving soon she followed along quietly as they walked back inside, through the house and out onto the driveway.

Watching Mark assist Katherine into the car and Herbert pull him aside to lecture him about looking out for their daughter, she made further polite conversation with Geraldine before the visit wrapped up and their guests departed, Mark and Katherine prom bound and Mark's parents off to dinner themselves.

Herbert's hand on her back again as they waved goodbye, it was painfully obvious to her when they returned inside that a new marriage certificate hadn't changed relationship between them and they were still playing two versions of themselves, in public they were a happy couple, but in private they were practically strangers.

"I've got a few phone calls to make but I should be done before dinner."

Addressing her, he wasn't unkind, but he wasn't warm.

"What about after dinner?"

Asking for his thoughts, she was anxious that he'd bring his coldness with him into their evening plans, specifically the ones that required them to be relaxed and comfortable with each other.

"We'll see."

Giving her nothing to work with, he turned to head towards the study, only stopping when she reached out to touch his arm.

"Herbert."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sure you are, but I'm not the one that needs to hear those words from you."

Nodding slowly, his tone again was not unkind however, his comment hit her hard.

He was referring to Cliff, she knew he was; he and Katherine had both met and spoken to her son and heard from him personally what he thought of her and how her behaviour had affected his and Pam's lives, but she hadn't heard it herself.

"You're right. I think I have a phone call to make too."

Unsure of what she'd say to her son, especially now, it was clear she had to say something, because she couldn't continue to live her life as she was now, tiptoeing around her family to avoid conflict and finding conflict waiting for her anyway. She might not be able to change things but she had to try.

To be continued…