Tuesday


It was the next day, Tuesday and I was sitting at a table with my friends Amanda, Louisa, Fiona, Chelsea, Oceana, Shannon, Samantha, Raven, Luna, Jennifer, Autumn, Cecilia, Summer, October, Keisha, Pansy, Rose, Melissa, Chrysanthemum, Cassandra and Sapphire. Keisha was the only black one in the group which didn't matter to any o f us. They were all daughters of my mom's friends when she was my age. Rachel and Jane were there as well.

"Mom had to work late again last night," Amanda told us.

"Didn't get in until 2 this morning," her sister Leah said.

"She and Dad argued," Amanda continued.

"Oh," I said.

Their mom, Karen, was a psychologist who worked with my Aunt Ruthie. She also worked at a clinic for young women with eating disorders and sometimes had to work really late.

"Mom left for New York last night. Again," Pansy said.

"Oh," I said.

Pansy's mom, Margo danced professionally and often went to New York, leaving Pansy alone in the house, sometimes for weeks at a time.

"Dad called again last night, drunk, as usual," Jennifer said.

Her mom lived with this other guy who was not Jennifer's father.

"Well," I said.

Everyone looked at me.

"Dad came home last night and started arguing with Mom about dinner and the bills. Then Mom called Aunt Ruthie and got out the vodka."