Fat Fridays Read Online Free PDF Page B

announced. “So I’m thinking it’s time to spruce up my wardrobe.”
    “Great! Go for it! And get some cool clothes. You’ve got a good figure, Mom. Better than you think.”
    Sukie caught her lower lip with her teeth and nibbled nervously. No way could she deny her forty three years. Not when her ex-husband was living with someone barely older than her daughter.
    “I mean it, Mom. Show off your figure. Have fun! And while you’re at it, put a little color in your hair. Highlights would look good on you. Who’s going to stop you?”
    “Absolutely no one.” Sukie fought off the wave of depression that threatened to drown her good humor. Years of being part of a twosome were hard to ignore. She felt so adrift. There were still times she automatically set the table for two.
    “Mom? I’m really proud of you. Those courses are bound to lead to something else.”
    At Elizabeth’s encouraging words, Sukie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed as if their roles had reversed and Elizabeth was now supporting her emotionally. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to be an Admin, or whatever everyone called it, but she knew she had to protect herself. Ted’s promises were as empty as gaily wrapped birthday gifts with nothing but tissue inside.
    “I’m so mad at Dad for putting you through all this,” said Elizabeth. “I won’t even take some of his calls. He’s being such a jerk!”
    Sukie kept quiet. Her counselor had told her not to interfere with her children’s relationships with their father.
    “You know that cute guy I told you about?” Elizabeth said, quickly switching topics. “He’s already got someone else. I found out after he put the squeeze on me. I was so bummed.”
    “Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” Were all men jerks?
    They chatted about school, and Sukie gave Elizabeth the latest news on the baby front. Elizabeth was as excited as Sukie about Rob and Madeleine’s expected baby. 
    After Sukie hung up, she took a closer look at the items hanging in her closet. Safe. That’s what they were. Neutral colors, classic, almost rigid styles. Most of them were too big for her now. She pulled a navy dress out of the closet. Safe? Who was she kidding? It was just plain dowdy. Feeling as if she were discarding the past along with the clothes, she threw it down on the floor. A pile of other items soon joined it. Excitement coursed through Sukie.
    She went to her desk to make a list of the new items she’d need. She’d choose basics and fill in with other things when she had the money. Wishing Elizabeth was there to help her, she tapped a pencil against her chin wondering where to begin.
    After bagging her old clothes for charity, Sukie went down to the kitchen. Humming softly, she sorted through her ideas while she prepared a cup of hot, lemony tea.
    Lowering herself onto a wooden kitchen chair, she gazed out the French doors at the wispy dark clouds racing across the gray sky. The last few days had been so interesting - meeting new friends and reaching out for new opportunities. Thinking of the women in the Fat Fridays group, she picked up her phone.
    At Tiffany’s hello, Sukie smiled and explained what she had in mind.
    “Really? You want me to help you with your new wardrobe?” Tiffany’s voice trilled with happiness. “Great! We’ll do lunch at the mall. I can’t wait!”
    Touched by Tiffany’s eagerness to help, Sukie went back to work on her closet. With every grunt of disgust, the pile of clothes grew larger.
    Looking at them tossed on the floor, Sukie did a silly little dance. It felt so good to feel so free.
    ###
    W aiting for Tiffany to appear for their shopping trip, Sukie sat in her car and studied the large, brick-faced colonial house – a house any couple would be proud to own.
    Tiffany bounded down the sidewalk. With her ponytailed hair, designer jeans and black high-heeled boots that matched her leather jacket, she looked like a teenager. A red Prada purse swung casually at her