Distant Shores

Elizabeth glanced at the clock. It was nine-forty-five on a Saturday morning. "Im guessing that my slutty best friend got lucky last night. "

"Lucky is a relative term. I got laid. " Meghann paused. "You know its not gonna be a long-term relationship when foreplay lasts just under ten minutes and thats twice as long as the sex itself. Hang on. Im getting coffee. " The phone clunked down on a tabletop. A minute later, Meghann picked it up again. "So, how was the class?"

"I did it. I painted. "

"I knew you could do it. How was it? Are you still great? Oh, and did you get the college catalogs I sent you?"

"Slow down, Counselor. One step at a time. I painted again. Thats enough for now. "

"Im proud of you, Birdie. "

"I take it you didnt listen to your messages last night. My instructor is a hunk. "

"No shit? A hunk in nowheresville? Thats just my luck. Theyre probably leaving the cities in droves. How old is he?"

"Perfect for you. Hed have no idea what a Pet Rock is. "

"Well?"

"Well what?"

Meghann sighed dramatically. "Youre forty-five, not ninety-five. Did you feel a little twinge?"

Elizabeth didnt know why she was surprised by that question. For years, Meghann had interrogated her about her so-called fantasy life. Meg had been unable to believe that Elizabeth wasnt attracted to other men.

Im not saying youd do anything about it, Meghann used to say, but you cant tell me you havent fantasized.

The conversation had always left Elizabeth feeling vaguely abnormal, but the truth was she hadnt been attracted to other men. Oh, every now and then shed see a man on television and think, Theres a good-looking guy. But shed never brought mental images to the bedroom. God knew, shed never considered being unfaithful. She still couldnt imagine it. Truthfully, sex with Jack had always been more than good enough. It had been only recently that theyd begun to lose their passion. "Yes, actually," she answered, surprising herself. "Then I remembered what size my underwear is. "

"Youre pathetic, you know that? If you hadnt had an eating disorder for half of your life, youd realize that you look good. "

"I never had an eating disorder. "

"Exactly what Flockhart and Boyle say. The point is, youve put on a few pounds--only a few. Youre still beautiful. Brad would be lucky to get a shot with you. "

This discussion had turned south faster than a prison escapee. "Yeah, right. I think--Oh, just a second, my other line is beeping. " She checked her Caller ID. "Meg? This is the girls. I need to take it. Ill call you later, okay?"

"Okay. Im proud of you, Birdie. I hope youre proud of yourself. "

"I am. Thanks. " Elizabeth hung up one call and answered the other. "Hello?"

"Mom?"

It was Jamie. "Hey, Sunshine," Elizabeth said, "its good to hear your voice. How did the meet go?"

Jamie burst into tears.

"Honey, whats the matter?"

"I h-hate swimming. Im wet all the time. "

"That cant come as much of a surprise. Youve been swimming since grade school. " Elizabeth honestly tried not to smile, but it was difficult. Her drama queen younger daughters crises were as dependable as a tropical rainstorm and lasted about as long. She must have lost her races at Saturdays meet.

"I know, but Im sick of it. And Im about thirty seconds away from flunking out. "

Now, that was new. Elizabeth sat up straighter, pulled her knees toward her chest. "What about that tutor we hired for you?"

There was a short pause; then Jamie said, "Im dating him. Michael. He is soooo cute. He plays the saxophone in the colleges jazz quartet. How sexy is that? Hes the first guy Ive ever dated who doesnt talk