No1 - The Psycho Surrealist

Chapter 12 - Asylum

"It's nice to share a little girl time together," Sandra's best friend, Susan Salvatore, said over tea. "It's just too bad that Barbara couldn't make it." The two women weren't alone in Sandra's modest apartment. Three of Sandra's closest friends managed to come over that day, Janine Romero, Maisy Harwood, and Anne Weiss.

"And it's finally nice to get some time out of my busy schedule," Anne said, smiling. "I've hardly got the time with the book and all."

"It's my husband, isn't it?" Janine said to the gray-haired woman, her expression deadpan. "He just can't help working you to death."

"More like the publishers," Anne said, then laughed. "They must have all been butchers in their previous lives, the whole lot of them! Either that or mass murderers."

"I, for one, don't understand why you all put up with men," Maisy said, catching the attention of all, including Sandra. "I mean, they're all just so messy."

"You're lucky, Maisy," Sandra said, cupping her hand over Maisy's. "Never having to worry about men, being a lesbian and all."

"Being gay doesn't mean I don't have to put up with them, Sandy," Maisy said. "It just means I don't have to put up with them as much."

Beyond being a childhood friend, Maisy Harwood had made her living as a businesswoman, owning a CBD oil shop in Anaheim; Maisy was convinced that CBD was the next biggest thing. On the other hand, Anne Weiss was a professional author, like Susan, as well as a professor of psychology at the University of Southern California. She was currently co-writing a novel with Janine's husband, Dennis, on the fundamental principles of the Gaia Principle and its relationship to Native American cultures and mythologies. Out of the three friends there, Anne was Sandra's newest friend.

Barbara Knight, a full-time volunteer at the abuse shelter both Janine and Sandra worked at, hadn't been able to come. Her husband had just had hip surgery, and Barbara wanted to be at his side. Barbara had always brought joy to their meetings, sharing her insight into the small book club they had formed. But they would make do without her cheery persona.

The five gathered over cups of tea on that warm sunny SoCal day in the living room of Sandra's apartment. It was routine for the "girls" to rotate being the host, opening their homes to the other girls. Sandra was the lucky one this time, probably for the best. Peter had chosen to be gone then, having departed for Louisiana earlier that day with his director friend, Yurian Miron.

Janine pointed out Peter's absence to the others. "I'm surprised you agree with Maisy, Sandra. I mean, with your rich boyfriend and all."

"Wait, rich boyfriend?" Maisy asked.

Sandra sighed. "He's not rich, Janine. He's living in an apartment in Glenview."

Susan set down her cup of tea. "So this boyfriend of yours, he doesn't happen to be an actor? Because the last time you talked to me after you dumped Calvin, you sounded interested in some private investigator."

Anne smiled. "Oh, a private investigator. You?"

Sandra glanced at Susan over the lip of her teacup. "I didn't say that I was interested in a private eye, more like I was interested in hiring a private eye."

Janine asked, "What for?" while Susan said, "So you are suspicious of your husband?"

Sandra swallowed her tea as her throat tightened from a burst of anxiety. "Collin and I are through. No, I'm not interested in him anymore."

"That's good for you, Sandra," Maisy said, "because that guy wasn't who he says he was. Too paranoid for his own good, but too open." She looked over at her other friend, shaking her head. "What? Collin acted paranoid about her fidelity when he was the one cheating on her."