PRESENT:
It is often said that friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain.
Who can convey the emotion concealed in a parting hug?
Who can elaborate on the conversations held over a bottle of chardonnay?
Who can elucidate on a friendship, slowly matured over the years?
Yes, friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain …
DESPERATE DESPERATE DESPERATE
There were many things that Bree Hodge liked to accomplish on a fine day such as September sixth.
She liked to prune her zinnias.
She rejoiced in polishing her silverware.
And she enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when completing her embroidery.
This particular morning however, Bree sighed as it dawned on her that none of these chores were going to be completed today. As she folded the silk serviettes she had retrieved from her kitchen draw; the pot on the stove behind her let out a shrill ring, signaling that the coffee she'd placed on to boil had indeed, done just that.
She laid the serviettes on the tray next to an assortment of home-made cookies and expensive china mugs she'd purchased from an antique fair with Orson last Thursday. She carried this and the hot coffee through to her lounge where her friends were sitting.
"Edie, be a dear and fetch the sugar from the bureau."
Edie who had tagged along with Susan merely for the morbid enjoyment she'd get out of Susan's dilemma, stood up straightening her shorts which could have been mistaken for a large belt and went to do as Bree had instructed.
"Now Susan-"Bree began, offering each lady a cookie methodically. "What are you going to tell Ian?"
Susan remained silent, staring at her milky coffee, wondering if this could possibly be enough liquid to drown in.
"Well, it's not as if he could possibly turn this round on you. I mean, you were wearing a condom after all" Gabrielle stated as she placed a comforting hand on Susan's shoulder. "You were wearing one weren't you?"
Susan came to the conclusion that it may be enough.
"You weren't were you?"
"No, no we weren't."
"Christ. Mayer's standards have slipped." Edie reappeared, brandishing the sugar pot.
"Edie this isn't the time. Anyway, I don't think you're one to talk about standards here. Last week I saw Richard Pipson leave your house looking very pleased with himself. I believe it was the day after he'd had his pace maker fitted." Bree snapped, snatching the sugar pot away from Edie and starting to spoon sugar into her own, cooling brew.
"Are you okay?" Lynette asked the first one brave enough to do so.
Susan glanced up, smiling at her friend.
"Thanks, really I'll be fine. I just need to sit and think this through properly."
"Does Ian know?" Gabrielle inquired.
"No. No he doesn't."
She pulled on her poncho in a rush and left abruptly.
DESPERATE DESPERATE DESPERATE
Julie Mayer had always been close to her Father.
Her Mother had always secretly despised this, as any single Mother would.
Her Father had always been thankful for his relationship with his teenage daughter.
He was always thankful that his Daughter would keep him updated on each ludicrous new escapade that his EX-wife would embark upon unintentionally.
"Wow." He managed to spit out, after laughing hysterically.
"It's not funny Dad…" Julie groaned.
"I play golf with Ian's Father. He never said anything."
"Well, they don't exactly know…."
He was also thankful, for his powerful position after such close moments with his Daughter.
He could sit back, and watch the fireworks…
DESPERATE DESPERATE DESPERATE
Every girl has a childhood best friend.
The friend that she spent the entire summer with when she was seven.
The friend that did her hair on prom night.
The friend that she shared everything with.
For Lynette Scavo, that friend was Eliza Freshman.
Like all best friends of a certain age, Lynette and Eliza had known everything about each other. That was why it was so astonishing that Eliza arrived on Lynette's porch asking for a place to stay that evening.
"C'mon! It'll be fun…I promise, I even bought some marshmallows down at the grocery store…for old time's sakes?" Eliza pleaded, sinking to her knees.
Not wanting to arouse any neighborly suspicions, Lynette invited Eliza in. That was when she realized-
"Oh thanks Lynette, you have literally saved my life. It won't be for long."
That Eliza wasn't leaving, anytime soon.
DESPERATE DESPERATE DESPERATE
PAST:
DECEMBER
Evening.
A Diner.
The one children's diner in Fairview was open five nights a week and sported a whole host of teenage workers who slaved over fryers whilst applying layers of acne facial cream. But, for what seemed like an eternity, a balding man had worked there. He walked with a cane and had a lazy left eye. Parents, including Eliza's and Lynette's had politely stated that there "was something wrong with him." Children, including Eliza and Lynette had conjured stories of him capturing and roasting children in the deep fat fryer and called him- "The Grizzler"
On this particular evening of Eliza's eighth birthday, the Grizzler was on mop duty.
Eliza had requested a meal out with some close friends, Lynette being the priority choice. It has been her birthday the weekend previously, and her parents had taken Lynette and Eliza out too.
As "The Grizzler" was wiping down several table in front of them, Eliza informed Lynette that she thought that he fancied them. They both struggled to stifle their childish giggles.
Eliza's parents shot a look of bewilderment over at the girls. They shook their heads in unison and returned to their steaks.
"I dare you" Lynette heard Eliza whisper this into her left ear.
Lynette had always enjoyed dares. She always won. She wasn't a quitter. Last week she'd mooned an entire gated community.
She nodded enthusiastically, waiting for Eliza's wicked idea.
"Go piss." She laughed for a moment, realizing her curse. "In the gentleman's' room"
"Eugh! That's gross!" Lynette shouted, a little too loudly.
"SSSSShhh…!"
Lynette apologized and then slid out of her seat cunningly. She checked for "The Grizzler" first, as she didn't want to go past him. He smelt of rotting fish.
She looked to see if Eliza's parents were aware of her exiting, and then she scurried off.
When she returned ten minutes later, she sat back down next to Eliza.
"Whoa. You're too cool" she gasped, touching Lynette's arm.
"No biggie. I've done worse"
"Oh really? Then how come you're shakin' like a frickin' leaf?"
"Nothing" Lynette whispered, shrugging. She couldn't look her best friend in the eye. She returned to her chicken nuggets, which now had gone cold and convinced herself that the lie she'd just told Eliza was indeed, the truth…
END OF PART ONE.