Free Walk on Water by Josephine Garner Page A

with enough disbelief thrown in to make it as magical as a fairytale. But fairytales were usually short stories. I supposed Mommy must have had sex—made love—in her own house, at least when I was away at school, and before she had gotten so serious about the church. I hoped it had been as wonderful for her as it had been for me. Because it had been wonderful. That nothing could take away from me.

    .
    NINE
    D espite the Sunday afternoon desserts, the Jazzercise , strength training, and Pilates at home appeared to be having a positive effect. And of course there were all those partially eaten meals with Luke. Whatever the case, tonight I made a decent presentation in front of the full length mirror hanging on my closet door. Even in kitten-heel pumps, the black pantyhose gave my muscular calves a sleeker look. My ankles were nicely defined. The black pencil skirt topped off with a white peasant blouse revealed my reemerging collar bone. As I entered the so-called prime of my life maybe I wasn’t aging that badly. I might even be mistaken for a thirty-something in the right light. I kind of applauded myself as I sprayed on a final dose of Juniper Breeze .
    The clock radio next to the bed read eight-ten. Sensations, where I was meeting Corrine and four other friends from work tonight, was at least a thirty minute drive away, and we had agreed to meet at eight-thirty. However I had learned not to be on time with this group or else I’d end up waiting by myself, and I didn’t like doing that. So yes, I was stalling a little.
    Careful not to wrinkle my clothes, I sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up the telephone. Agatha immediately hopped up on the bed beside me forcing me to stand up, since gray cat hair was probably not what the fashion police had in mind when they stressed, “Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.”
    Walk on Water Dialing Luke’s home number I told myself it was just to say hi. After all we hadn’t talked today. It was nothing more than a friendly gesture, and besides I couldn’t talk long. I wondered what I would do if Luke asked me to change my plans and do something with him instead. I could imagine the grief I would get from Corrine on Monday morning if I stood the girls up tonight. And of course I would if given the inkling of a chance.
    After four rings the call went to Luke’s voicemail. “Leave a message,” his outgoing message said, but I didn’t, hanging up and opting to call his cell. It might be inconvenient for him to get to his home phone. He always kept the cell phone with him. It too rang a couple of times before he answered.
    “Hey,” said Luke. “What’s up?”
    I could hear voices in the background, music, and other noise. He must be out. I wondered where.
    “Hi!” I replied.
    “Thought you’d be out on the town by now,” he said. “Is everything all right?”
    “Oh yeah,” I assured him sounding casual. “Just thought I’d call and say hi. Is this a bad time?”
    I knew that it must be.
    “Luke, it’s your shot, man,” I overheard a male voice in the background.
    “Yeah, come on,” a woman’s voice also spoke. “Winner takes all! And you will like the prize!”
    There was laughter, including Luke’s. Was she the prize? I felt so foolish.
    “I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?” Luke told me. “I’m in the middle of something right now.”
    I should be too. And definitely I wasn’t the prize .
    “Oh, okay,” I replied masking hurt but even before the words were completely out of my mouth the connection was closed between us.
    I returned the telephone to its charger and settled for stroking Agatha on her belly. Tomorrow was Sunday, and Mommy’s day. Luke and I wouldn’t talk. Okay. So he had a life. Other friends. Well so did I. We were going dancing tonight. Sensations was a very nice place with valet parking. I looked good. It was ridiculous to turn into one of those women who chose the boyfriend over the friends, especially when the man