She Writes Love... Read Online Free PDF Page A

but you already pretty much do that.”
    I smiled as I left his office. A sex column, I thought as I shook my head. This could kill my career.
    After I left work, I met Keaton and Charlotte over at The Park, a restaurant on Sunset Blvd., for dinner. Being a Friday night, there was nowhere to park in the parking lot or on the street, so I had to park in the medical building lot and walk. It was a last-minute thing and I really didn’t want to go but I knew if I didn’t, I’d hear about it tomorrow, since I was going to be at my parents’ house for Halloween.
    “Hey, sis,” Keaton said as I sat down next to him in the booth.
    Charlotte glared at me as she sipped her water. “I called you two days ago and you didn’t call me back.”
    “I know and I’m sorry. I had to work extra hard on my column to meet the deadline because I wasn’t feeling well a few days ago.”
    “You weren’t feeling well because you’re depressed, sis,” she replied. “Depression makes you sick.”
    “I’m not depressed,” I said as I shook my head. “I may still be sad, but I’m not depressed.”
    “You’re depressed,” they both said in unison.
    I rolled my eyes and changed the subject as fast as I could. “Kenny called me into his office today and told me that they are expanding Dear Paisley. Apparently, I’m going to talk about sex now.”
    “Ew, I’m not reading that,” Keaton said.
    “That’s wonderful, Paisley. So now you’ll have two columns?”
    “Yes. One for love and relationships and the other for strictly sex. I’m not too sure it’s going to work out.”
    “You’ll be fine and you’ll do great,” Charlotte said as she grabbed my hand from across the table.
    When we were finished eating, I asked Keaton to drive me to my car.
    “Where did you park?”
    “The medical center.”
    He drove me to my car and looked at his watch. “It’s seven forty-five. That support group starts in fifteen minutes. I think you should go. You’re already here.”
    “Goodbye. Keaton.” I smiled as I closed the door and climbed into my car.
    He drove off and I sat there, clutching the steering wheel and looking at the medical building. Maybe if I go one time, I can say I did and he’ll back the hell off . I grabbed my purse and with uncertainty, I walked inside.
    The sign said the meeting was in room L2. Once I found my way, I nervously took a seat in the fourth row of chairs. There were only eleven men and women in the room and all of them had to be over fifty. I felt out of place and uncomfortable and debated whether or not to leave. I did step in the room, and I sat down in the chair, so I could say that I was there, right? An older lady walked in and looked at me.
    “Are you in the right room, dear? This is for people who have lost their spouses.”
    I simply smiled and nodded my head. “Yes, I’m in the right room.”
    She leaned over and placed her hand on mine. “I’m so sorry, dear.” And then she walked away and took a seat next to another older lady. Okay, I’m outta here, I thought as I grabbed my purse. When I went to get up, a younger man sat down in my row, one seat over. He looked at me and I looked at him. We gave each other a small smile and the counselor stood at the podium and began to speak. Shit. I couldn’t walk out now.
    “Good evening, everyone. I see we have two new people in our group today. My name is Jessica Roth and I’m here to help you deal with your loss and grief. In fact, we’re all here to help. Everybody in this room has something in common. You’ve lost a spouse. This group is here to provide you with a safe forum where you can share your feelings and your pain. Each and every one of you in this room has had the same experience and has gone through the same emotions. Let’s begin by welcoming our two new survivors to the group.
    “The woman in the back row.” She smiled. “Can you please come up and introduce yourself.”
    “Who, me?” I pointed at myself.
    “It’s