"When I finally got ahold of that mother, she said that she thought that they were at my house, doing math homework." Carol is at the head of the table, dealing out another set of cards for her three closest friends.
It was Friday evening- their day for manicures, gossiping and even complaining about their husbands and children. It was the day each woman looked forward to all week long.
"That's what they told her?" Donna creased a brow, a gentle smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. It wasn't shocking to her- she had raised two kids already- one of which was out in the real world while the younger one was spending his last months of senior year in and out of the principals office.
Becky turned to look at the blonde, who had been very quiet. "We're lucky that we're empty nesters." She was being serious- they were lucky to have survived some of the nightmares that came with raising kids.
Nodding her head, Stevie couldn't help but laugh. "We really are." She had spent a lot of years playing that game- the tall tales and rebellious acts of teenagers... she understood it all well.
"I think they might grow up, but I don't think they'll ever move out." Carol pushed herself out from the table, trailing towards the bar where all their empty wine bottles sat. "Anymore, ladies?" She held up a new bottle, secretly hoping that they wouldn't leave her quite yet.
They had been together since coffee that morning and after a day full of shopping, they had dinner like usually. They transitioned houses each week and it had become quite the tradition in the twenty fives years leading up to that night.
The other three women glanced around the table, giving one another that look. It almost ten and they all had things to do the next day, so there was little room headaches and hangovers.
"I already know what that means." She frowned, a soft chuckle following her words.
"I think I should probably get home to make sure the house is still standing." Becky rolled her eyes playfully, standing up to put her glass in the sink.
"We should meet for coffee?" Donna tossed her sweater over her shoulders, also trying to escape her husband and kids that were waiting for her at home.
"We're doing breakfast with two of the kids in the morning at our house, you're all more than welcome to come." Stevie stood up, readjusting her blouse before slipping her arms into her jacket.
"Well, cheers to Stevie's pancakes!" Carol held up her wine glass, tossing her head back to drink the the last of it.
Stevie chuckled, giving her a subtle wink. "I'll see you all in the morning." She slipped through the dining room, leading the way to the front door.
They all shared one last goodbye before heading out into the chilly night air, splitting up to get to their reserved portions of the street. They had all lived in their safe little subdivision for more than thirty years and to say they had grown close would have been an understatement.
"Hey, Stevie?" Becky shouted, trailing backwards down the sidewalk as her friend crossed the road. "I'll bring the drinks in the morning!" She assured, causing Stevie to laugh a little.
"Can't wait!" She gave her one last wave as she turned back around, heading down the walkway of her home.
They had lived there for almost thirty- five years and it was still one of the most stunning homes on the street. There was a fountain out front and the flowers that lined each side of the drive were always perfectly taken care of. It was a home that held a million memories- good and bad.
