Afternoon Delight by Mia Zachary Read Free Book Online Page B

real.
    So she forced a smile of reassurance onto her lips. “I’m fine, Candy. I just had a bad day at work.”
    “Well, you know I’m here if you need to talk.”
    “I know. Thanks. I’m okay, though.”
    Dr. Versa patted her arm again before Rei slipped past her to take a seat among the others. There was a core unit, including Dr. Versa, a psychologist, as well as with other women who joined and left over time. Rei greeted her old friends and nodded a welcome at the new faces as everyone introduced themselves.
    “Hi, Kerry Kensington, two years.” The petite redhead always brightened the meeting whenever she attended.
    The quiet brunette next to her was new to the group. “I’m Heather Centrino, and um, it will be six months next week.”
    “Alicia Rexam, I’m a three-year survivor.” Despite her silver white hair, she didn’t look old enough to have seven grandchildren.
    “I’m Rei Davis and it’s been…one year.”
    And so they went around the room. As they were finishing the introductions, the door opened behind her. Rei turned to see who had joined them and gasped softly at the sight of her friend Miriam.
    “Sorry I’m late, ladies.” Miriam’s voice was breathy and she slowly made her way to the table.
    Rei’s heart broke as she watched her friend gingerly lower herself into the chair. They had been born the same year, but now Miriam looked at leasta decade older. There was a tightness around her mouth, as if she were in a great deal of pain, and her skin had a grayish pallor. Her brown eyes were dull and held a shadow of fear even as Miriam looked at her and winked.
    Cold certainty crept over Rei. She may or may not be sick again, but there could be no doubt that Miriam was.
    “It’s good to see you.” Dr. Versa smiled at her in welcome. “We were just about to share List accomplishments.”
    Rei was frankly dreading this part of the meeting. She couldn’t tell them about her sexual encounter with a stranger in a nightclub. She’d have to settle for relaying her exotic fruit experiment, an accomplishment that sounded lame compared to Alicia finishing another quilt for her grandchildren or Kerry learning to ice skate.
    “If you don’t mind—” Miriam paused, closing her eyes briefly with an audible pant. “If you don’t mind, Candy, I’d like to say goodbye first.”
    Rei’s heart skipped, anticipating hearing the worst. No, not Miriam.
    “I want to thank you all. For the camaraderie and tears, laughter and hugs. I can’t imagine how I would have gotten through this. Without my friends.” The sudden appearance of tears washed the dullness from her gaze. “But I won’t be coming back to the group.”
    Murmurs of sadness and comfort echoed throughout the room.
    “Honey, no.”
    “Oh, Miriam.”
    “Don’t, don’t feel sorry for me, girls.” She panted again, her smile now a little frayed around the edges. “Howard and I have been preparing for months. We’re finally taking our dream trip. France and Spain for as long as we can afford to stay.”
    Rei laughed out loud to relieve some of the tension that had built in her chest. “You’re really going? That’s wonderful!”
    The noise level in the room rose with excited chatter as Miriam gave details about her upcoming trip and the rest of the group shared the experiences they had recently checked off of their Life Lists. Rei listened absently to the conversation, lost in her own thoughts.
    Miriam might be dying but she was also fully living at last. Her attitude and daring silently reminded Rei of how fortunate she’d been last time. Despite her depression and doubt that she might not be so lucky this time, she didn’t dare wallow in self-pity. Not when her friend was fighting so bravely.
    Across the table, Miriam gave a breathy laugh in response to something Alicia said and Rei realized how much she would miss her. Her friend had always tried to look on the positive side, telling off-color jokes to make everyone laugh