“I don’t have plans. I’d love to hear what The Duke’s packing under his pantaloons.”
“You’re going to have so much fun. I’ll text you my address. We always meet at seven, it’s pretty casual.”
“Cool,” I nod. Our versions of casual are opposite, but I’m still interested to see how these women behave outside of school. My guess is probably not any better, especially with that scandalous romance novel in their possession.
ChaptEr 6
Candace
I’m mid-spiral when the doorbell rings right at seven. Of course, I couldn’t even invite Natalie to book club without getting in my head. Looking back, I’m not positive I even invited her. Who knows, maybe I tried selling her Avon. I spent my entire afternoon replaying our conversation and worrying whether she’d show up. She said she’d come, but I remember life in my twenties. You’re on your way to dinner and the next thing you know you’re hopping a red-eye to Asia to eat your weight in sushi.
“Candace, these curtains are to die for. Did you use Melanie? We loved her. She redid our pool house last summer and did a fabulous job.” Denise and the ladies busy themselves inspecting my newest home upgrades.
“Her taste is impeccable. Did you see the downstairs bathroom? New tiles, and a mirror flown in from Italy,” I brag, confidently.
The tour comes to a halt when the doorbell rings. “Who else is coming?” Betty asks, hurrying to the door and opening it herself.
“Betsy, great to see you,” Natalie scoffs, walking right in.
“For the last time, it’sBetty. Candace never mentioned you’d been invited. It’s probably best if you go home. You do have one, right?”
“No, I don’t. Mainly, I live in whatever pay-by-the-hour motel men offer after I complete my services. It sucks that they demand anal so often, but beggars can’t be choosers, am I right?”
I watch as Betty grips the end of her shirt so tight it looks like it’ll rip off if she’s not careful. We’re not used to Natalie’s sense of humor. Her irreverence is going to get me into trouble if I’m caught laughing. It’s refreshing being around someone so free, who couldn’t care less what people think. She’s a breath of fresh air, and it's shining a light on the fact that I’ve been suffocating for a while.
“She teaches English, the least we can do is include her. Plus, she’s new in town.” I remind them, firmly grabbing her arm, leading her into the living room where the others are inspecting my fireplace.
“Has she even read the book?” Betty plops down in the armchair.
“Nobody ever taught me to read. My cokehead parents showed me how to cut drugs instead. I begged them to teach me, but they made me sleep outside every time I asked.” My teeth clench together holding in a laugh.
“You might think you're funny, young lady, but I can assure you the rest of us do not appreciate your humor.” Betty scowls towards Natalie.
I stand up, taking her hand in mine, I lead us both to the kitchen and out of the lion's den. “We'll go get dessert. You start without us,” I shout.
“Wipe that smirk off your face, they’re going to run you out of town with pitchforks if you’re not careful.” I give Nat’s upper arm a soft but warning pinch.
“Whatever you say, Princess,” Natalie says to me with a crooked smile.
She’s maddening, the exact opposite of me and the other women. I’m drawn, like a moth to a flame, to her carefree attitude. When I was her age, Greg and I were already married and owned this house. The way she approaches everything with such ease, as if she hasn’t got a fear in the world, is exhilarating to watch. I'm actually envious.
She leans against the counter while I assemble our baked goods. We had different ideas of what casual meant for tonight. She showed up in baggy black sweatpants with an oversized band shirt, with a name I couldn’t read if you paid me. Her hair’s toppled on top of her head, held together with a small clip, creating a fountain. I took a quick shower and then opted for a dusty rose linen lounge set, and slicked my hair into a high ponytail.
“Why am I a Princess?” I ask, glancing back at her.
“Uh, have you seen this house? I got lost trying to find this neighborhood of mega mansions. Was this a castle back in the day?”
Suddenly, I’m aware of the size of my home. Now that we’re a family member short, it feels a lot bigger. “Very funny, I’m sure your house is just as nice.”
“For starters, I don't have a house. I share a two-bedroom apartment with my best friend, and it smells like stale weed and incense.”
“Is your best friend a teacher, too?” I ask, giving her my full attention.
“No way, she’s in grad school studying philosophy with absolutely no idea what she wants to do in life. But to pay the bills, she’s a part-time barista.”
“I remember being fresh out of college, it’s so exciting having the world right in front of you. Endless possibilities, and more freedom than you know what to do with.”
She grabs a handful of chocolate chip cookies, and for a minute, I forget who they’re really for. We’re in a bubble, just the two of us, and somehow time flew by, and I forgot I was hosting.
