A New Lu by Laura Castoro Read Free Book Online

told Lu, join a gym and hire a personal trainer. A male personal trainer. A female, with her perk young butt, will only make you mad, but a male trainer will get you to try things the wildest night of passion wouldn’t.”
    â€œTight is better than skinny.” Cleo pats her firm round cheeks for emphasis. “Lose too much weight after forty,you will sag. Wrinkles are worse than pounds. Take Meryl Streep and Susan Sarandon. They’re aging beautifully. Contrary to what you read in women’s magazines, men don’t mind a few pounds. Means you’re real.”
    â€œAnd most probably cook!”
    â€œNot that again!”
    I laugh and reach for the last of the plump pearly oysters on the half shell we ordered. It goes down cool and salty-sweet.
    A waiter approaches, deftly catches my eye and offers a smile meant just for me. “You’d like something more?”
    His name’s Kiri. He’s Serbian. He’s got dark and dangerous eyes and a mischievous smile. I’m smitten, for the afternoon.
    Grace has noticed our flirtation and leans forward when he’s gone with our lunch orders. “Don’t be taken in by these local fellows. Any man available this time of year has less than two nickels to rub together. Or he’s married. Hausfrau in the old country.”
    â€œThat’s a truth.” Marvelle drains her glass. “Charm is cheap!”
    Each of them has buried at least one husband. Only Jane first lost hers to a younger woman, eight years ago. When the time came to bury him last year, Wife Number Two came to Jane for help. Aunt Marvelle told me the story the day I arrived.
    â€œShe didn’t know Bruce was Episcopalian. Didn’t know his favorite flower. Didn’t even know what family he had left. That man-stealer had run through his money, and didn’t know his brother’s name! Jane said she realized then that she’d had her revenge on Bruce since he left, only she didn’t know it. Of course, Jane saw to it Bruce was buried properly. Said it was the least she could do since her children bear his name.”
    But this is not a bitter group of women. They appreciate life in a way that is rare. They live it, day by day.
    The noise in my own head has subsided in their company. And I’ve made a few plans.
    Later, when Aunt Marvelle and I have returned to her house, I decide it’s time we talked. “I am going to sell my house.”
    â€œOh no, Tallulah.” Marvelle looks stricken. “Not your lovely house.”
    â€œIt’s too much house for one.”
    â€œBut the children?”
    â€œDallas is living with friends. She and Stephen have found a place to live after the wedding. Davin didn’t spend but six weeks at home after his freshman year. He’s already got a lead on a job in the Catskills for this summer. He’ll be home even less.”
    â€œThere’s something you’re not telling me. But that’s fine.”
    Aunt Marvelle doesn’t have to pry. After five days in her company I want to come clean.
    â€œJacob and I don’t want the children to know. But the months he was out of a job took a toll on our savings that we haven’t been able to recoup, thanks to the stock market. Davin is only halfway through school, and we don’t want to have to pull him out. But tuition has to come from somewhere. Jacob gave me the house with the understanding that if it became necessary I’d sell.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œMy job is in jeopardy.”
    Marvelle smiles. “So, come and live with me.”
    I smile but shake my head. “I’d be a drag on your social life.”
    Marvelle shrugs. “I’m about to tell you this because I don’t want you to make the same kind of mistake. I was fond of Jacob. But my fondness stopped the day he walked out. I’m through with him! Don’t let a man who hurt you come back. That’s what happened to