Three Rivers Read Online Free PDF Page A

That's not how it works. There's a reason those terms are so final sounding, it’s because they are ."
    "That is so depressing! And not true!" Aubrey shrieked.
    "It is true! That part of my life is done. My book is written. Now I need to keep picking up the pieces while I raise our son. That's my destiny," Althea responded.
    "Fine," Aubrey huffed at her. "Then what about sex?"
    "What about it?"
    "Why not find somebody to get busy with? You know, someone you won't feel guilty about or risk falling in love with," Aubrey commanded.
    "Honey, she's got a point. You need to start living your life," Jenna said softly.
    " Start my life? I have a life."
    "You have a job that you work at nonstop, a son you spend every possible moment with, and you have us. But honestly, babe, you know you don't have a full life," Aubrey said diffidently.
    "Gee, thanks. Come on, I don't even get this. What's the big deal? I mean, why now? It's not like anything's changed."
    "Christ, that's the whole point, Tea!" Aubrey said passionately. "It's been almost six years and nothing at all has changed. I think we've been more than patient all this time. We thought it was part of the healing process, that maybe it was a fear of moving on, but now, it's settled — you're in a certified rut missy."
    Jenna leaned over and covered Althea's hand, which had only recently been moist from tears and waited until Althea looked into her eyes. "Johnny's birthday and all the dates you keep turning down just cemented it for us. We can't sit back anymore. Think about Jack, you know he wouldn't have wanted you to live like this. He always took care of you and now that's what we're trying to do, and that's why we can't sit back anymore." Althea knew they were trying to be nice but their words felt like red-hot pokers to her heart.
    "Point is, Tea, we know you're lonely," Aubrey added.
    "Well, of course I'm lonely," she said with a lot of duuuh inflected into her voice. "I'm a widow ." Althea couldn't help but wince, "God, I hate that word so much. It seems so old and menopausal, like I should be in one of those clubs with old ladies that wear purple dresses and red hats."
    "I thought it was purple hats and red dresses that those ladies wear," Jenna corrected.
    "Whatever. Never mind," Althea blurted. "The point is, you guys need to nip this birds and the bees business in the bud." They crossed their arms and huffed at her in response. "Look, I appreciate your concern, I do. But I'm being proactive. I'm even thinking of getting a rescue dog."
    "That's nice and all, but it's your vibrator that really needs rescuing," Aubrey responded.
    "Aubrey!" Jenna choked out. "Remember when we discussed 'never says'? That was a never say."
    "Yes, Jenna," she responded in a singsong voice. "Jeez. Welcome to the no fun zone, party of Jenna," she muttered under her breath.
    "Okay," Jenna sighed. "Let's agree that it's at least a 'not now say.'" Jenna looked back to Althea. "How long since you last had sex?" Jenna asked in a soothing voice that belied her great bedside manner.
    "You know the answer to that."
    "Not since Jack, right? Okay, how about a kiss then?"
    "Jenna, come on." Althea thought for a moment. "That dentist Ted and I kissed."
    "That lame, closed mouth mess after your one date with him years ago? I'm talking about a real flip your insides over. So hot you need to put your panties in the freezer kind of kiss," Aubrey said.
    Althea paused. That sounded pretty nice but she didn't want to admit that to them, "You know the answer to that, too. Besides, I'm okay with my life."
    "And 'okay' is not enough. You're a young, hot MILF..." Aubrey began.
    "Ugh, please don't ever call me that again. And speaking of the "M" in that ridiculous phrase, Johnny..."
    "Johnny is getting bigger, he doesn't need you to sacrifice your whole life for him."
    "Bigger? He's five. It's not like he's investing in his 401K."
    "You owe it to him to have a life."
    "I owe it to Johnny to have sex ?"
    "No, you owe