As Genevieve called the meeting to order, Hanna looked around at all of the clusters of mom friends scattered throughout, whispering and passing mints to each other. She shuffled her now blistery feet in front of her, feeling totally alone and out of place with her stupid garden party attire.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Tom: Just got back to the house. Where y’all at? She had told him about the meeting a few times this week, but he obviously didn’t remember. Hanna couldn’t blame him though, what with the chaos of the upcoming move. They were closing on the house the next morning and moving in right after. Tom had been initially shocked when she first told him about her impulsive purchase, but he was coming around.
One of the things she loved about him was how easy going he was in their relationship, often giving in even if he disagreed. She secretly wondered if it had something to do with feeling abandoned as a child. She felt guilty if that was the case. She would never in a million years leave Tom.
I’m at the PTA meeting, she typed. Kids are at my mom and dad’s.
A few moments later, another message appeared from him: K. I’m gonna grill for us tonight. Gotta send Ol’ Red off properly.
She smiled. Ol’ Red was the nickname they’d given their twenty-two-inch charcoal pit. It had seen lots of family barbecues in its day. The new house had a built-in gas grill outside, so there was no need to bring the old one with them. Out with the old, she reminded herself as soon as she started to feel sentimental. Perfect, she responded. See you later.
She gripped the phone tightly as Genevieve spoke about the plans for the school’s upcoming fall carnival. “And we’ll have pony rides for the children thanks to the wonderful LeBlancs who are sharing their pony with us that day.”
Hanna glanced up. Did she hear that right? A student at the school actually had a pony?
Genevieve then started talking about the back-to-school fund-raising gala that was set to happen in a couple of weeks. “If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, you’re very late to the party,” she announced.
Hanna could have sworn Genevieve was glaring directly at her when she said it. Yes, I know, I’m very late to the party.… She input the date into her phone’s calendar and made a note to buy tickets as soon as possible.
“We’ve got the best band in town, so needless to say, you’ll find me on the dance floor most of the night.” She giggled. “But really, it’s going to be so much fun, and the committee has done an exceptional job planning every detail.” The other moms chattered with excitement and clapped their hands. The ladies sitting next to Hanna whispered something and then laughed.
As she looked around the room at all the friends sitting side by side, Hanna couldn’t help but feel alone, like she was the new girl no one wanted to hang out with. An overwhelming sense of sadness swept over her. She slouched in her seat and hung her head low, just waiting for the meeting to end.
Halfway through the gala report, the auditorium door squeaked open and all heads turned to the back of the room. A woman wearing a blazer and a Bluetooth headset tiptoed to the end of Hanna’s row, and as the other moms began turning their focus back on Genevieve, the woman sat a few seats away from Hanna.
Hanna glanced out of the corner of her eye. The woman clearly wasn’t like the other perfectly-put-together moms at the meeting. Instead of carrying a S’well thermos, she had a laptop bag. And her slightly unkempt dark brown ponytail looked like it had been knotted in a hurry during a hard day at work. Hanna knew that look all too well. It was her signature style when she was still working at the nursing home.
The two caught eyes, and for a few seconds, Hanna felt like they had an unspoken conversation. With an eyebrow raise and a smile, it was as if the woman told her, “Sorry I’m late. Also, welcome!”
Genevieve invited Principal Bernard to the stage to give his report, and as the audience of parents and teachers shifted in their seats for the change in speakers, the Bluetooth headset lady pointed to Hanna. “Love your outfit!” she said in a stage whisper.
Hanna smiled and mouthed, “Yours too!” She sat back in her chair, feeling a bit of her tension melting away. It wasn’t Queen Bee Genevieve’s approval, but hey, it was something, right?
Thirty minutes later, the crowd of people slowly gathered in the aisles to say their good-byes.
The Bluetooth headset woman approached Hanna at the end of the row. “You’re new here, huh?”
“Yes,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Hanna Peck.” She paused, wondering if the woman was going to make a snarky comment about her being the one who won the lottery, but she just smiled and nodded. Hanna continued, “My son Drake just started fourth grade, and my daughter Lucy is in first.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Diana.” The woman’s tone was warm but professional. “My son Robby is also in fourth grade.”
Hanna felt a twinge of excitement. Maybe they could be outcast mom friends together. But as she began fantasizing about them meeting for champagne playdates and gossiping together at school functions, Genevieve ran over and hugged Diana.
What the hell? Hanna thought.
“We missed you at spin class last night,” Genevieve said to Diana, pouting her lips in a sad face.
Ah, of course. Her Lululemons were at home. The business attire was just a disguise.
Diana touched Genevieve on her shoulder. “Girl, I’ve been so busy with work this past week, I’ve barely had time to do anything but eat and sleep.”
“Oh, what do you do?” Hanna asked politely.
“Corporate lawyer,” Diana replied, pushing her hair off her forehead.
Genevieve gave the woman a little squeeze. “Diana’s being humble. She made partner at her firm last week.”
Hanna gave a soft clap. “That’s great. Congratulations!”
Diana waved her away. “Thanks. It’s been good, but definitely wish I could be home with my kids more. My youngest called the nanny ‘Mama,’ the other night.” She face-palmed. She looked at Hanna. “Do you work outside the home?”
“Yes.” She began nodding, then froze, almost forgetting that she wasn’t working anymore. She was so used to talking about her job all these years, it just slipped out. “Well, I used to.”
“Didn’t you hear?” Genevieve butted in. “Hanna won the lottery. There was a little press conference and everything.” She flashed a bright smile in Hanna’s direction.
Her face felt hot. When she first won, she wanted to tell everyone she knew. But now, hearing Genevieve talk about it in her haughty tone made her feel so… embarrassed. She reminded herself she used to buy these women’s hand-me-downs at thrift stores. Who was she kidding thinking she’d ever be accepted as one of them? She’d always be the lottery lady. The woman who didn’t deserve her fortune.
Diana pointed a finger at the women. “One second,” she announced. “I need to take this call.” As she began chatting into her headset, Hanna introduced herself to some of the other moms around her. A woman named Mary Katherine had a son in Drake’s class, too. She seemed nice. But before they could get deep into conversation, Genevieve butted in, as if Hanna wasn’t standing right there.
“Mary Katherine, you’re coming to the wine tasting at Taffy’s this weekend, right?” she asked her.