Four or five people were standing against the wall opposite the counter in the corner burger joint. Outside, the two-degree-below-zero temperature had turned their cheeks red. Those who had placed their orders stepped aside with their coats draped over their arms, staring blankly, waiting for someone to call their order number.

"Excuse me," a young man’s voice sounded behind her.

Lia slowed down and turned around. A smiling face looked back at her on the residential sidewalk.

"How can I help you?" she asked, and couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear herself.

"Okay, done, I sent it!"

Marie-Anne tossed her phone onto the couch with a flushed face. Her hands were still shaking, and even her knees felt weak. She took a long, slow breath, finding it took longer to calm down than she had expected. To distract herself, she walked out into the tiny, artificial grass-covered yard and sprawled out on the soft plastic rug.

"Relax," Lucy reassured her worried friend, "I’ll take care of him like he’s my own. No little floozy will get near him while I’m around," she smiled, flashing her gleaming white teeth.

"Mom, look at this cool sweater! Can I get one?" the little girl exclaimed excitedly.

She impatiently tugged at her mother's wrist when she didn’t look toward the desired piece of clothing even after several attempts.

The doorbell rang. A long ring. Twice in a row. Isabel was already irritated. Why did they have to press the button so hard? The first ring was loud enough. She took a deep breath. "It’s just a few hours. I’ll survive."

Lying face down on the beach towel, Linda rested her head on her crossed arms, under the blazing sun. The black sand was almost scorching around her. She didn’t go into the cool water only because she’d have to walk at least ten meters across the hot beach.

She stood behind the line, adjusted her tennis skirt, held the racket in front of her, and waited intently for the serve. The instructor bounced the ball three times before serving. Olivia had to move quickly to return all five shots.

The soothing scent of the perfume filled the room. Michéla closed her eyes. She had been waiting so long to buy it! She had never allowed herself such a luxury before.

Martha impatiently glanced around the beach dance floor for the umpteenth time, wondering how the wind had blown in so many losers. She didn’t want to go home empty-handed.