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After that, Jade rushed us into the clothing store and had me try on half a dozen different skirt and blouse outfits. She chose three that were very flattering then insisted I buy shoes too. Finally, we went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch. It was a bright, happy place full of people, chatter, and music. As soon as we sat in the booth, everyone began talking at once, or, I should say, they were all talking at once. I was content just listening, shifting my eyes, turning my head, spinning around to hear one story and then another. I felt like I had been turned into a sponge, absorbing their experiences, their times of fun, reliving their moments of excitement and pleasure.
"What will we do for dinner tonight?" Misty asked. "I vote for pizza."
"Pizza is so fattening," Jade said with a warning glance.
"Can't we start our healthy living tomorrow?" Misty pleaded for us all. "It'll be our first dinner in the clubhouse."
"Then it should be more special than just pizza;' Star said. "I'll use Granny's recipe and make us Southern fried chicken and we'll have mashed potatoes and fried okra and black-eyed peas and--"
"Please, spare me," Jade said. "Fat city. Let's at least do Chinese. We can order from the healthier menu and get fun food that's not poisonous to our systems."
"My granny doesn't make poison?' Star snapped. "Do look unhealthy to you?"
"It's going to be late by the time we get everything home," I said. "Maybe it would be easier if we just order in tonight."
They all looked at me.
"Now I know Cat's strength," Star said.
"What?" Misty asked before I could.
"Miss Compromise, the Peacemaker. Okay, that's what we'll do tonight, but next time, we eat some home cooking?' she concluded.
Jade looked satisfied and took out her pocket mirror. She shifted it to her right.
"See those two guys in the leather jackets in the booth back there," she whispered. "They were looking our way the entire time they were waiting to be seated. Any moment one of them is going to come over to say something."
Misty gaped.
"Don't make it so obvious," Star told her. She peered, too. "Grease balls," she decided. She smiled at Jade. "They're poor white trash, honey."
"I know, but it's fun to see what they'll do."
My heart started to pound because one of them did get up and start toward us. He looked like he was in his mid- twenties at least.
"Well, now:' he said, "my buddy Carl and I were just admiring how you all get along so well. We thought now here's a group of young women who've got it together; cool, mature, good looking, fine representatives of the better sex. We were wondering if we might interest you in attending a party tonight. It's going to be great. We've got a live band and--"
"Just a minute," Jade said. She dipped into her purse and produced a small leather-covered notepad. I held my breath. She seemed to be seriously
considering it. Misty sat with a grin on her face and Star just stared at Jade.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said. "We're booked tonight. As a matter of fact, we're booked for the rest of our lives. But thanks."
He laughed.
"You sure?" he said.
"What are you, deaf or stupid?" Star asked him.
His smile faded. He looked back at his friend who was laughing at him, which made his face a darker crimson.
"Too bad," he said. "You're missing a good time."
Star continued to glare at him and he left the table to return to his buddy. Then Star broke the tension by laughing and so did Jade and Misty.
"He was cute," lade confessed.
"So's a baby rat:' Star said.
