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Chapter 6

Saturday mornings at the park slowly morphed into a most necessary weekly gathering for three friends. With nannies and teenage babysitters, the mothers could sit at a shaded picnic table, watching their babies play together while enjoying each other. This visit was fraught with every emotion on the spectrum, from sheer joy to angst.

“So, let’s share the good stuff first,” Maggie said, the self-appointed cheerleader/leader of the group. “I feel like Katrina is ready to explode.”

“I should let you and Annie go first, though. You two are the ones with actual news.”

“No, I insist you go first,” Annie said, returning a wave to her son. “Oh God, kid, don’t come over here now.”

The women giggled, agreeing that the children needed to stay away.

“Well, I quit my job,” Katrina said, a lilt to her voice.

“No way!”

“Yeah, I can’t believe it. It’s not as easy as all that and won’t happen right away, but I’m on the trajectory of leaving for good. And while I still have your attention, we might try to have another kid after Christmas. Then I can use Lent as my excuse not to drink.”

“That’s great, Kat,” Maggie said, leaning in to hug her friend. “Davie is so good with other kids. Look at him, being all loving to the other two.”

“He’s the leader, even of the older kids,” Annie said.

“Yeah, so because of everything happening with the latest surprise in the Chastain family that seems to be the gift that keeps on giving, talking about having another baby is the last thing on Dave’s mind. But I planted the seed. Okay, you two. Now it’s your turn.”

“You go ahead, Annie.”

“Katrina knows because I had to get the name of her real estate agent. Chris got a job here.”

The women cheered.

“And we’re looking for a house. Kat, I sent your agent a text, and Chris is looking this morning. I told him to have at it, and when he narrows down his choices, I’ll look with him.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea,” Maggie said. “Does he know what he wants?”

“Yes. He wants to have horses and be within riding distance to you,” Annie said.

“Okay, well, that’s just north of town. Anything along Bayou Trail is too wet.”

“We really did it, women. We are all dating brothers,” Katrina said, smiling. “But not married to them.”

“Not yet, anyway,” Annie said, pointing to Maggie. “Tell us your news.”

“It’s not good. Things have changed in twenty-four hours.”

“Oh no, what did you do?” Katrina asked, grimacing. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”

“I don’t want to get married now.”

The friends looked at each other, their compassion for Maggie overriding any other conflicting emotions.

“Go ahead and say it,” Maggie said. “I’m a bitch.”

“No. I was just thinking that it must have been such a hard decision to make,” Katrina said.

“I agree. It was a bold decision,” Annie said. “How’s Justin taking it?”

“We haven’t really talked about it because of the whole mother killing herself scenario. Dealing with that awfulness is taking priority over everything else.”

“Do you know if they are going to say anything to Chris about it?”

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