The Secret Lives of Housewives by Joan Elizabeth Lloyd Read Free Book Online Page B

watched, at least occasionally. The waiter arrived and put a heavy white mug in front of each woman. Eve carefully put her cell phone beside it.
    â€œI’m delighted your husband agreed to watch the babies for you this morning,” Monica said, adding a packet of Sweet ’N Low to her cup.
    â€œAs he should,” Cait said, sipping her black coffee and wincing.
    â€œHe didn’t bat an eyelash,” Angie said, looking a bit surprised, “but I don’t want to be gone too long.”
    â€œHey, they’re his kids, too,” Monica said, “and you’re entitled to a small amount of time off.”
    â€œI know,” Angie said, reaching into her gym bag, “but he works so hard all week that he’s also entitled to his down time.” She pulled out her wallet. “I’ve got new pictures.” She opened to several photos of the twins, dressed in matching navy and white outfits. For the next several minutes the women oohed and aahed over the adorable babies.
    â€œWhat does your husband do?” Eve asked when Angie had put the photos away.
    â€œHe teaches English in the South Bronx. It’s a really tough high school—you know, lots of drugs and gangs. But he loves the teaching and he tries to steer clear of the other stuff. It scares me a little.”
    â€œHas there been lots of violence in his school?”
    â€œFrom time to time there’s a fight or one of the guys brings a knife or gun to school. I think Tony’s stopped telling me about that part of it.”
    â€œSo why does he stay in the city?” Eve asked. “There must be jobs up here somewhere.”
    â€œIt’s not that easy,” Angie answered. “He submits applications all the time, but there are so many good teachers looking to get out of the city that there are hundreds of résumés for every job. He just hasn’t gotten lucky yet.”
    â€œThat’s tough,” Cait said, reflexively smoothing the polish on her index fingernail with her thumb.
    No wonder she’s so frazzled , Monica thought. Schoolteachers don’t make nearly as much money as they should. As Cait said, it was probably really tough for them to make ends meet. “How about you, Eve? You said you work, what do you do?”
    â€œI work down in the garment district. I’m the executive assistant to the head of logistics for a shoe importer.”
    Monica’s attention was suddenly riveted on Eve. “Shoes? My favorite thing. Which brands do you bring in? With my wardrobe, I probably own some of your company’s imports.” Shit , she thought, glancing at Angie. With all of Angie’s financial difficulties, she shouldn’t advertise how much she had.
    As if reading her thoughts, Angie reached over and patted her hand. “You look embarrassed. Tony and I get along fine. Don’t worry.” She turned to Eve. “Yeah, which ones?”
    Eve mentioned the names of several high-end brands. “No shit,” Cait said, her eyes widening. “I have several pair of those, especially a wonderful little black slingback with a small rhinestone clip off to one side. I just love them.”
    â€œI’m glad. I don’t do the buying, of course, but I’m glad they’re going in the right direction.”
    â€œWhat does a person in charge of logistics do?” Angie asked.
    â€œWe take care of getting the shoes into the country from the Far East, customs, duties, tariffs, then filling orders from wholesalers, like that.”
    â€œWhat about you, Monica? What do you do?”
    Over the last few moments Monica had considered how to answer that question and had decided to play it low-key. She suddenly realized that she didn’t want to seem like some powerful Madison Avenue type that these women wouldn’t be able to relate to. She liked this little group and wanted to feel part of it. “I’m with C & B.”
    â€œC &