“I ran into Meegan at the bookstore. I was trying to find something for Junior’s story time, because if I read that damn green pork and egg story again I’m going to stab myself in the eye with a fork.”
Sienna, our resident vegetarian, gagged. “Green pork? What are you teaching your kids?”
“She’s talking about Green Eggs and Ham.” Raina shook her head.
“Right.” I nudged Nikki’s shoulder. “What happened?”
“So anyway, she struts up in her tight little skirt and says ‘Nicole, you haven’t signed up for our bake sale. All parents are required to this year.’ ”
“What do they need now?” Sienna asked.
Nikki snorted. “I dunno. Probably a chocolate fondue fountain for fucking recess.”
“Damn, those kids are spoiled.” Raina shook her head. “Your kids excluded, of course.”
“Oh, they’re spoiled, too. It’s a struggle to keep them grounded. Especially when James is putty in their hands.”
“He’s putty in your hands, too,” I added. And it was true. That man adored Nikki.
“Yeah, yeah. So anyway, she’s all pushy giving me this gotcha look, as if I’m gonna sweat anything this chick says to me. So, I tell her I’m bringing air pudding and wind pie.”
We all crack up laughing.
“The worst part,” Nikki continued, “was that she really thought it was a dessert! Of course I kept going on and on about it being a special recipe handed down from my great-great-great-grandmother.” She took another sip of wine. “Anyway, her dense ass smiled and told me she’d tell the others about my contributions. She must’ve done it because her henchman, Lynette, emailed me last night and told me that it wasn’t funny and I needed to support our children. Blah, blah, blah . . . the children are our future. And she had the nerve to copy James in the email like I was in trouble with my dad.”
“So are you bringing something?” I asked.
“I just said it.” Nikki smirked. “Air pudding and wind pie. Now . . . who wants more wine? Screw it.” She waved her hand. “I’ll just bring over the bottles.”
“Finish your drink first, Nik.” I rolled my eyes. She had a good five ounces left.
“Yeah, and it’s just a matter of time before I’m done.” She looked at Raina and Sienna, then shrugged. “Why’s she trippin’? She knows the deal.”
“She,” I pointed to my chest, “is sitting right here.”
“Girl, just get the wine.” Nikki smacked her lips. “You know you don’t want me poking around in your kitchen.”
“Fine.” I sighed. “Why don’t I bring you a big straw and you can just pop it in the bottle?”
“Ohh.” Nikki rubbed her hands together. “I actually would be down for—”
“Joking. We may not be in public, but you will act like you have some decorum.” I stood and then retrieved the wine bottles, placing them on my wood serving tray.
Nikki leaned over and grabbed her favorite Chardonnay. In her other hand, she had a large straw—the kind that was meant for Big Gulps from highway convenience stores.
“What in the hell is wrong with you?” I shook my head, equally irritated and amused.
“I keep straws in my purse.” Nikki shrugged. “It’s a mom thing.”
“Aww. I so miss your shenanigans, Nik.” Sienna sighed. “How long has it been since we hung out?”
“Four score and seven years,” Nikki replied between sips.
Sienna patted Raina’s knee, giving her a sunny smile. “I’m glad you texted us. Between my job and Keith’s campaign, life has been crazy.”
Raina nodded and bit her lip. “I actually have a proposal to make.” She paused. The only thing moving was her gaze, which drifted from Nikki to Sienna and then finally to me. Her eyes bounced from scared to determined. After her dramatic pause had run its course for ten whole seconds, she whispered, “You ready?”
“Girl, yes. Just tell us.” Nikki waved her hand in a get-on-with-it motion.
Raina rooted through her large purse and produced a tattered blue notebook. She raised the book in the air, still silent and with serious eyes.
A rush of adrenaline blazed a path from my toes to my head. I recognized that notebook. We’d written our goals and what we’d accomplished. It had been my idea to create a points system and award the winner every semester. Back then, I had no doubt I’d be a master sommelier by thirty. I swallowed around the knot that had formed in my throat. Was the universe trying to tell me something or torture me?
“Well, this is a blast from the past.” Sienna’s voice was low and careful.
“Girl no . . . just . . . just no.” Nikki’s voice shook with emotion. “We aren’t doing this. I refuse.”
“Just hear me out.” Raina slapped the notebook on the ottoman. “We all know what this is. We created our group years ago and we fell off, which sucks, but I think we should reinstate it.”
Nikki groaned. “That was years ago. Things change. Why are you bringing this up now?”
Quite honestly, I wanted to ask the same question.
Sienna piped up. “We promised to hold each other accountable.”
“Yeah, when we were barely twenty. We didn’t know what we wanted out of life.” Nikki’s voice was high and pinched and stressed.
Nikki was usually a straight shooter, but I could taste the acrid lie. She wanted to be a professional musician. Nothing had changed and nothing could take away her talent. Not her husband or her kids or her lack of confidence.
Raina shook her head. “Nikki, you are so talented. You could still go for it. But you’re gonna have to put on your big girl panties, and most of all, don’t lie to yourself. You know you aren’t happy with washing clothes and keeping house.”
“Being a stay-at-home mom is—”
“Sucking away your life force.”
“Damn, girl,” Nikki muttered under her breath as she folded her arms across her chest.
Classic Raina, the queen of duality. She was a like a Sour Patch Kid. First she’s sour, then she’s sweet. I think she used most of the sweet at her job that she ironically hated and for Cam, whom she actually loved but was too afraid to admit it.
“And Sienna,” Raina tapped Sienna’s shaking legs, “you wanted to go to law school, pass the bar, and become an attorney. You’ve done all of that. You have just one more goal: running for office.”
Sienna tugged at her skirt with an uncertain smile. “Yeah, and now Keith is on city council.” She shrugged and cleared her throat. “I’m helping his campaign. It’s the n-next best thing.”
Raina shook her head. “But is it?” Her voice was full-on Raina, the radio therapist. “I’m just saying that you deserve to have your own thing. Your own piece of happiness.”
“I can’t run against him, Raina.” Sienna’s normally soft voice grew hard.
“No. But maybe do something else. Run for a school board position. Just something to consider, okay?”
Sienna nodded without her usual enthusiasm.
Raina tilted her head and moved on to her next victim: me.