Page 29 of A Lifetime of Afters
“You look incredible!”
Harley twisted to the side, kicked out a hip, and patted her ass. “You mean this old thing?”
Narrow shoulders, small breasts, and trim waist atop round hips, thick thighs, and an ass that would not quit. With her dark hair liberally streaked with indigo, she looked like a rebellious pinup girl.
“Look at that bubble butt! You look hot, Harley! You need a motorcycle and some leathers to go with that ass!”
“I beg your pardon,” Lou mock scolded as she came up behind me. “She doesn’t need any further encouragement. She’s crazy enough as she is.”
“She’s perfect!” I protested.
With a wink, Lou turned her warmth to her daughter, “That she is. As are you.” Then holding my hand in both of hers, she assessed me in the way that mothers do. “What’s the matter, lamb?”
Tears sprang to my eyes. Friggity-frack, I was turning into a leaky faucet. “I think it was just time to come home, Lou.”
“Long past time, lamb. Long past.” She gave me a squeeze. Her mouth in my ear, she sighed, “I’m glad you’re here, my lamb. You look beautiful as always. Now let’s see if we can’t get you smiling.”
Lou looked at her wristwatch. “I’m sorry, ladies, but I’ve gotta get to Novel-Tea. I’m late for Spill the Tea.”
“What’s Spill the Tea?” I asked.
Harley groaned, “You don’t want to know.”
Lou laughed and threw an arm around my waist. “I suppose you’re old enough to know.”
“I wish I wasn’t,” Harley grumbled.
Lou rolled her eyes, a sassy smile curving her lips. “Me and a whole slew of ladies young and old have a book club we call Spill the Tea.”
I looked between her and Harley. “What’s wrong with that?”
Harley, her voice dry, commanded, “Tell her what you read, mother.”
Lou’s eyebrows wagged and her smile widened. “Romance.” She looked around surreptitiously before adding in a delighted whisper, “Sometimes erotica.”
Harley groaned and covered her ears.
A burst of happiness erupted from my mouth. “I love that! Is it open to everyone? Can I come?”
Lou’s eyes danced. “Absolutely! Michelle runs the group. Do you remember Michelle? I think she was a couple of years behind you in school.” Lou wagged her eyebrows as she backed away. “She married a firefighter. I bet there’s plenty of heat when she gets home on book club nights! I’ll get her to forward you the details.” With a final wave, she scooted away.
Harley took her place at my side. “Is she asking Michelle to forward the details of her sex life or the details of the book club?” Harley raised her eyebrows with a smirk. “This group might be racier than I thought.”
I pressed my lips together.
Finally, she sighed. “Go ahead. Let it out.”
“I cannot believe it! I cannot wait to join this group! Are you sure you don’t want to come too?”
Harley’s horrified face answered well before her uttered, ‘fuck, no’.
I held up my hands in surrender with a laugh. “I won’t ask again.”
“See that you don’t. We do not ever talk about book club.”
I turned the imaginary key to my lips.
Looking up at me suspiciously, she huffed out a laugh. “Fuck, you’re tall.”
