Monday, November 24, 2008

Swing - Part One

The third Sunday afternoon of the month was always the Ladies Lunch. That’s what the husbands decided to call it in one of the nicer terms. When they really felt like teasing they called it the Bitches Brunch. The ladies pretended that this moniker bothered them but most of them relished it and noted the lunch in their planners with the initials “b.b.”

The men imagined that the ladies sat around and bashed men, or more specifically, their husbands, while sipping white wine and nibbling on salads.

The ladies didn’t really do a lot of bashing during the lunches, however, although it would be a lie to say that it never occurred. Conversation topics usually ranged from hairstyles and monthly cycles to current events and finances. The more wine that flowed because “it was 5 o’clock somewhere” it was more likely that talk would swing away from the mundane.

This Sunday happened to also be Emma’s 30th birthday. She didn’t tell any of her friends of the significance of the date, but she secretly hoped that one of them somehow knew and would make a big deal out of it.

She was always doing things like that. Keeping information from people that she really wanted them to know. She was a walking contradiction most of the time, not wanting to draw attention to herself, but also craving attention. It was one of the things about her that drove her husband crazy.

“Jane!” the shriek of hello that erupted from Lana was like the scream of a mother hawk at an intruder in her nest.

Lana was a people pleaser. Whatever it took, whatever she thought people wanted, she delivered. On the rare occasions that she sported a backbone and disagreed with someone, her skin turned ashen and it was uncertain if she would remain upright on her 3-inch clearance-section heels.

Jane was notorious for deflecting any obvious plays for her attention. “Mona!” she cried, as though she could neither see nor hear Lana laying her affections at her feet. A quick hug and a wisp of a kiss on her cheek graced Mona with Jane’s acknowledgement.

Emma tried to not notice Lana’s fairly visible deflation at the rejection. “So Lana,” she cooed, “where did you get that bracelet? It’s gorgeous.”

Lana puffed back up. “You like it?” she beamed. “I’m so glad!” She rustled around in her purse. “Here.” She shoved a bright orange wrapped box toward Emma.

“What’s this?” Emma tried her best to look confused although the smile was impossible to conceal.

“Open it!” the women chorused.

(to be continued tomorrow)

4 people like me!:

Damselfly said...

Ooh! A cliffhanger! Can't wait to see what happens at the b.b.

Anonymous said...

Ooooo I like ... looking forward to tomorrow!

Jen S. said...

B.B. I LOVE it!

Kate said...

Oh, that was unfair. Make sure you continue.

 
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