“There are otheroptions.”
“We went to a hotel, but it was just too muchwork.”
Karen shook her head. “I won’t argue this case. It’s done and over with. But next time, don’t give up so fast,hon.”
“That’s the thing. I don’t want to try again. It’s always too much work. I’m better off withoutit.
“What the freak do you mean by that? Too much work? Love isn’t supposed to beeasy.”
Moira returned the broom to the closet behind the counter, so she didn’t face Karen as she retorted. “Who’s talking about love? I’ve no illusions, K. I’m done with love. I’ve had my chance at it and blew it. When I said it’s too much work, I meant sex. It’s just not worth it. I get by fine without it. Besides, I’m thirty-two years old, and I’ve got two kids to raise. Who am I kiddinghere?”
Karen gawked. Then, shook her head a couple of times, eyes glued to Moira’s, and mouth slightly open. “I’m trying to process a million thoughts at the same time. You’ve just spewed such a stinking load of crap. I don’t know where to start.” She stuck her index finger up. “One, you’re not dead. You’re just overwhelmed raising two kids on your own. Two, you’re young, beautiful, and smart. Don’t ever sell yourself short or doubt that you still have a lot to look forward to.” She raised a hand when Moira tried to interrupt her. “Please let me finish. Three, you didn’t blow anything, Bob sucked as a human being. Period. Four, who says we’ve got only one chance at love and happiness? And five, please, please don’t ever say sex isn’t worth the effort. You haven’t met skilled enough lovers, that’sall.”
“Said the woman with threeboyfriends.”
“And agirlfriend.”
“Did Rosa come around and agreed to your lifestyle? Last time we talked, she had not accepted yourproposal.”
“She’s jealous, which makes things a little uncomfortable sometimes. But she’s working really hard on that. And I love her all the more forit.”
“How about Roger, Matthew, and Paul? I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea they know about one another and don’t mind sharingyou.”
“Technically, there’s very little sharing.” Sheguffawed.
“Silly. I wasn’t talking about threesomes, or foursomes, or whatever number youprefer.”
“You’re doing it again. This is about your love life, notmine.”
Moira polished the counter top until it reflected the glasses hanging upside down above it. “I don’t have time for this kind ofnonsense.”
Karen’s eyes got round as dishes, and her jaw dropped. If Moira were not so annoyed, she would laugh at her friend’sexpression.
She was annoyed,though.
Ana Oliveira sauntered into the bistro, long red hair in a ponytail, wearing a flowered sundress that flattered her athletic figure and endless legs, and Moira welcomed the distraction. Maybe the arrival of the waitress would get Karen off her case and help her forget about Moira’s non-existent sex life. The subject often made Moira uncomfortable, not because she was a prude, but because it made her wonder why she wasn’t that much into sex. Not as much as most of her female friends proclaimed to be. Certainly not as much as Karen enjoyedsex.
I’m not a prude. I’m not uptight. The usual mantra went on in herhead.
“Hey, ladies. Why do I have the feeling I walked into a catfight? Let me drop my stuff inside, and I’ll be right back. I want to hear exactly what you two have been upto.”
When Ana returned from the staff room, Karen didn’t give Moira a chance to speak. “Our Moira here has just told me sex is a nuisance she can’t be bothered with. Please, help me put some sense into this misguidedwoman.”
Moira rolled her eyes; but didn’t argue. Instead, she swept the floor some more, while Ana washed glasses and stacked them behind thecounter.
“I can’t argue that point,” Anareplied.
“I’m shocked, Party Girl.” Karen feigned it. “I thought you’d be on myside.”
“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I sympathize with Moira’s choices. If she’s happy, I’m happy for her, no matterwhat.”
Karen nodded as she fidgeted with a napkin. “No doubt. But, I believe a friend will point out behaviors that could be improved, if that makes sense. For instance, not going after the bastard who fathered her kids to demandalimony.”
Moira hid her flushed face inside the cabinet, as she swopped the broom for amop.
Ana sided with Karen. “Oh, I second that. I could call my friend Nessa, if you wanted, Moira. She’s an investigative reporter, and a damn good onetoo.”
Sweat trickled down the bridge of Moira’s nose, dripping on her faded purple t-shirt, leaving a dark spot. The air conditioning couldn’t keep up with her friends’ grilling or the exertion from mopping thefloor.
“Thanks, but I don’t think that’snecessary.”
“See what I mean?” Karen pointed at Moira and her stare locked with Ana’s. “Mules are less stubborn. Same with her ideas about sex.” She zeroed in on Moira. “Loosen up a bit, try a no-strings sex-fest for once to see if you likeit.”
“Best kind there is,” Noah Cartwrightagreed.
