Chapter One

Gabrielle was doing the dishes when she got the call.

Gabrielle was in the kitchen, doing the dishes and humming happily. She picked up a spoon and saw a small glimpse of her reflection from the mirror on the wall. She turned her head to the side, to get a good look at herself. "Where did the time go?" she thought and grazed her cheek. It wasn't silky and smooth anymore. She could feel the wrinkles. She could also notice a few grey hairs, even though she told her hair stylist to get rid of them. She wasn't old. But she certainly wasn't young either. The time she had spent in California, had just flowed by. A decade felt like one year. And every day she thought "Today, I shall call Lynette and we'll arrange a meeting with the girls", or "Today I'll call Susan and we'll do something together", but something always got in the way and she just decided that "Maybe tomorrow". But it wasn't like they hadn't talked at all. A few years back, the used to just call each other, and talk about the important things in their lives, but for the last five years, she hadn't really heard much from the other housewives. She knew that Lynette moved to New York to be a CEO, and has a bunch of grandkids. She also knew that Bree moved away from the lane too, and was now enjoying her golden years with Tripp, whom she married.

Gabrielle then thought about Susan. For the first few years, after Susan moved from the lane, they talked a lot on the phone. Susan would call her late at night when she needed some cheering up. They talked about the other girls, and how they were doing, they talked about their kids, and they talked about Mike...

Gabrielle was startled by Carlos, who walked into the room and put his arms around her. "Hi honey", he said and kissed her cheek. Gabrielle chuckled and turned around. "So, how about dinner tonight? At some fancy restaurant?" she asked, smiling. Carlos let go of Gabby and said: "Sorry baby, I can't". He grabbed an apple from a bowl on the table and took a bite. "What do you mean you can't?" asked an annoyed Gabrielle. "There's a big game tonight, sorry", he explained, chewing the apple. "What?! You're ditching me for some-", the phone started to ring and interrupted Gabrielle. "Saved by the bell", said Carlos and went to answer the phone. Gabrielle sighed and continued to do the dishes.

"Gabby, it's for you!" yelled Carlos from the living room. "If it's Juanita asking me to babysit, you can tell her I am busy!" answered Gabrielle. Carlos walked into the kitchen with the phone in his hand. "I really think you should take this", he said with a serious look on his face. "What is it?" said Gabrielle, suddenly interested. "It's Julie, and she has something important to talk to you about", he explained. "You mean that Julie? Julie Mayer?" asked Gabby, and Carlos just nodded.

Gabrielle grabbed the phone and said: "Hi Julie, I haven't heard from you for a long time". She could hear Julie sobbing a bit. "Julie what is it?" she asked, now a little worried. Then Gabrielle heard the five words she thought she'd never have to hear.

"My mom has passed away".

Gabrielle was in a shock. She couldn't believe it was true. Maybe it wasn't. Maybe she heard it wrong. "Wha-what?" was all she could get out of her mouth. "Sh-she passed away last night. And I-I tried to contact you sooner but you never answered the phone so I gave up, but now that she's... d-dead, I had to call you again because sh-she wrote a letter to you, Bree and Lynette, a-and she made me swear to give it to you, in case something ha-happened... and I also thought that maybe... you'd like to come to the wake", Julie sobbed. Gabrielle couldn't breathe. She felt like she had a huge lump in her throat. She tried to swallow, but it didn't help. "Yeah..., yeah of course I'll come", she whispered forcing back the tears in her eyes. "We'll talk about the... arrangements later, o-okay? I have some more calls to make. I'll call you again. Bye", said Julie and again Gabrielle forgot to answer. "Gabby, are you there?" Julie asked. "Yeah, sure. Talk to you soon", Gabrielle said and hung up the phone.

Carlos, who had been watching as Gabby talked to Julie, saw, that his wife wasn't okay. "Honey?" was all he could say before Gabrielle burst into tears and fell into his arms.