The Spinster's Club

Prologue

"You know, we should call ourselves the Spinster Club." Cass frowned into the depths of her glass. "We're classic spinsters, you know."

"I am so not a spinster. I'm just in a dry spell."

Cece looked at Amy who was glaring at Cass. "Sugar, if this is your idea of a dry spell that's like calling the Sahara a beach."

"Bitch," Amy muttered.

The other ladies smiled.

"I don't mind being a spinnie," Romy said. "I'm picky, not icky. And if no man makes my undies melt then no man makes my undies melt. It is what tis."

"Melted panties," Cass said, "it's been a long time."

"Well there was that little dryer mishap," Cece said.

"Someone is in a clever mood," Amy grumbled. "Anyway, isn't a spinster more than just a woman sleeping alone? I mean, she's a dry thing."

"Sahara woman."

"Actually if you think about it," Cass said slowly, "we are all fitting the category. I mean, we all have sedentary jobs. We all live quietly. None of us is in a relationship or has been in too many years. And truth is, we've become boring."

"Ouch," Romy said.

"You think I'm boring?" Amy asked.

"We're all boring," Cece said. "We're safe. We don't take chances. We never put ourselves on the line. Cass didn't apply for that managerial position and she's still in the same job that bores her."

"I wouldn't have gotten it," Cass said. "They gave it to a man. They wanted a man."

"You didn't try," Cece pointed out. "Romy, you've talked for years about leaving the bakery and starting your own business and you still haven't. Amy, you're still at the hospital scheduling nursing shifts and I know you're bored beyond reason. And all I do is write my stupid by the numbers romance books which I could do with my eyes closed. We're all in ruts. And I dare any of you to tell me when the last time you got really drunk, or did something wild or by God, got laid."

Amy sunk back into the couch. Cass reached for her drink and Romy stared at the table. Cece stood, her hands balled into fists. "This makes me so angry. I love you guys so much and look at us. All of us. Not a single one of us has reached for a dream. Not in years."

"We're not kids anymore, Red." Amy looked up and Cece saw the sorrow etched on her friend's face. "We all have bills, and homes and we're just trying to get by."

"Yeah," Romy said, "and what if I failed? I can't afford to fail."

"What if you succeed?" Cass looked at each of the women. "What if we all did? I mean, look at us. We're not newbies at any of the games. We all know how to work. We all know how to accomplish things. And we have a secret weapon."

"Our amazing breasts?" Amy asked.

Cece laughed. "They're not that amazing."

"Speak for your own titties," Amy said, "my girls have got it going on."

"We have each other," Romy said. "We always have and we always will."

Cass smiled and lifted her glass. "Exactly."

"Yes," Amy said and raised her glass too.

"Wait a minute." Cece remained where she was standing. "This is where we all get sappy about our great and long lasting friendships and then sink right back into the holes we've been wallowing in. No. We need to change."

"Change how?" Romy stood and stretched. "I can grow another five feet and reach your collarbone, Red."

Amy laughed and stood too. "Short women unite."

"Amen sisters," Cass chucked.

"Classic." Cece walked over and pushed Romy gently on the shoulder and she dropped back into her seat. "Sit," she said to Amy who frowned but did as directed.

"Here's what we're going to do spinsters. We're going to change."

"Oh God," Amy grumbled.

"I don't know..." Cass started but Cece held out a hand.

"We're older but we're not old. But we keep going the way we're going and we're all going to wake up one day in our eighties and wonder how we got there and it looks exactly like the last forty years. So we change."

"Change how?" Romy asked.

"Four of us, four changes," Cece said. "Each one of us makes one decision for the group. And I'll start."

"When did you get so bossy?" Amy asked.

"When you stopped being the boss," Cece answered but with a smile.

"So what's the change?" Cass asked.

"Jobs," Cece decided. "Everyone has to reach up. Cass, you need to apply for management or something. I need to get out of the romance formula rut. Romy, figure it out. Start a side business, get a food truck or something. And Amy, come on. Do something different, you're drowning."

"Fine," Cass said. "Then I'll choose a new look. Everyone has to do something different with their look and I don't mean changing eyeliner. Something drastic. New wardrobe, new 'do, new something that stands out. No more looking old."

"I like it." Romy pulled on a curl. "Maybe I'll get extensions and have lovely blonde locks like Rapunzel."

Amy snorted and Romy stuck out her tongue. "Okay my turn then," Romy said. "I vote for a new experience. Scuba diving or bungee jumping or something. It doesn't have to be dangerous but it has to get your blood pumping. Agreed?"

"I can do that," Cece said, "in fact, it might be inspiring. So Amy, that leaves you. What's your goal for the group?"

Amy smiled at each of the women in turn. "I love you bitches, I really do. And I'll do what you say. But then you'll do what I say too, right?"

"I don't like this," Cass said slowly.

Amy's grin was wide. "Ladies, I say we all find one man completely out of our league and do the dirty."

"Wait a minute," Cece said.

"Oh no you don't Red." Amy shook her head. "You all made your choices and I'm making mine. Find a man you think is more than you can handle or more than you can get. And get him. One night only. Rock his world and rock your bed." Amy snickered. "Get out of our ruts by rutting."

Cece grimaced but grabbed her glass. "Okay then. I agree. To the brand new Spinster's Club. Good luck ladies."

"Good luck," Cass said raising her glass.

"Good luck," Romy said raising hers.

"Good luck and better fuck," Amy said lifting hers and then taking a swig.