As leader of the Elysian Garden Club, Rita Castillo had a lot of influence over who got in, and who didn't. When a space opened up, the ladies at the club would select candidates to take their place. Then, they would vote amongst them for which of the candidates they would welcome into the club. It was tradition for the club to have 20 members, no more, no less.

This time, there were three candidates who were at odds to get into the club: Alma Filcott, Ada Coi, and finally, Rita's candidate. Her lover. Suffering in a loveless marriage, Rita had resorted to a most unconventional means of getting the affection she so desperately craved. An affair with a woman. Gods, she was everything Rita needed. She gave her the love and affection that Carlo never did, unconditionally. And the very nature of the relationship was exhilarating to her. The risk of losing everything teetered on the edge if they were caught; the society of 1949 would never accept such a relationship. But Rita didn't care. They were careful.

Rita essentially rigged the vote in her lover's favour. She told her about the 'surprise' home inspection the Garden Club girls carried out – hell, she practically helped her prepare. And once she'd made a good impression, Rita continued to talk to her up with the girls behind the scenes.

A few days after the home inspection, Rita's lover patiently awaited word of the outcome of her performance; the girls had liked her garden, each flower passionately cared for herself. And they'd found her to be lovely company. She only hoped that that would be enough to get her in.

There was a knock at her door, and she got up to answer it. Only to find Rita stood outside it. She allowed her in, and Rita presented her with a telegram.

"I thought I would come by to congratulate you personally,"

Rita murmured affectionately, a prideful smirk on her lips as she held the telegram out to her lover.