It's Only Make Believe by Roseanne Dowell Read Free Book Online

her face. She told Sarah what had happened with Ruby at the wedding.
    Sarah slammed her fist on the desk. “That witch said that to you. The nerve of her. Why didn’t you tell me then? I’d have taken her out. What was she doing at the wedding anyway? Who invited her? ” She stood up and moved about the large office, picking up files and setting them down. “Did you tell Brad?”
    Michele leaned back in her chair, surprised at the anger her friend displayed. Sure, they had stuck up for each other before, but this was different. “Sarah, sit down. You’re making me nervous.”
    “I can’t help it. I feel like...” She returned to the chair, sat down, then got up again. “I’d like to wring her neck. How dare she say something like that on your wedding day? You don’t believe it do you, Shell. I mean I know they used to date, but...”
    “I’m not sure what to believe. I don’t want to ask Brad and sound like a jealous fool. Besides, he has to work with her. And, what if...”
    Sarah walked around the office, poured coffee, and took a sip. “I don’t believe it. I mean she isn’t Brad’s type at all. I can’t believe he even dated her.”
    “Well, I’ll find out eventually, I guess.” Michele wanted to change the subject. This one hurt too much. Her stomach tensed and threatened to erupt. “Go back to work.” She looked at her watch. “We’ll leave here in an hour for dinner.”
    Sarah went back to her office, and Michele tried to concentrate on her work. Ruby’s face kept intruding, her words rang in her mind. She shook her head trying to remove the doubts. The phone rang. “I’ll get it,” she yelled to Sarah.
    She leaned back in her chair and listened to her mother’s familiar voice. “Michele, I can’t believe you haven’t called me. Why didn’t you let me know you came home early from your honeymoon? Not trouble in paradise I hope.”
    “No, Mother, not trouble in paradise. There has to be a paradise to have trouble.” Michele knew her tone sounded impatient. Her mother had that effect on her, had for a long time.
    “Well, your father just told me you’re home. I think you could have at least called. You must come to dinner tonight. I’ll let cook know.”
    “Sorry, can’t tonight I have an appointment.” Michele cringed at the idea of spending an entire evening with her mother. She’d grill her about the honeymoon and Michele didn’t feel like sharing it with her.
    “Well, then tomorrow.” Her mother paused waiting for her reply.
    “I’m sorry, mother, I’m busy all week. Maybe next week.” Michele pretended to flip through pages on her calendar. “How about Thursday next week? I’m free then.”
    “Oh dear.” She could hear her mother flipping pages of her calendar. “That’s no good, Friday?”
    Michele gave in. She couldn’t avoid her mother indefinitely. “Friday then, sevenish?”
    “That’s fine, dear, see you then. Tada.” He mother hung up without waiting for a reply.
    Leaning back in her chair, Michele wondered how, with her mother’s influence, she had ended up so informal. Maybe it was in spite of her mother’s influence. Funny, she thought, but Brad seemed the same way. How had they escaped the snobbery their parents, especially their mother’s, exhibited? She busied herself until Sarah poked her head in the door. ”Ready?”
    They chose an Italian restaurant not far from the office. Its quaint atmosphere and luscious garlic and spicy aromas lightened Michele’s mood.
    She told Sarah about shopping at Wal-Mart and the paint for the rooms. “I was foolish enough to think I could paint it myself. “Ha, by the time I got everything off the walls and moved the dresser I was exhausted.”
    Sarah laughed. “I’d love to be there when your mother or mother-in-law see it for the first time. I mean really Shelly the difference in quality is so evident.”
    “I don’t care, Sar. I thought about taking it back and buying new ones, but decided