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"It’s a stroke of genius," Bev said

It was Jacqueline’s turn to pay her lunch tab, and she set the cash on the counter, breathing far too fast Surely she’dher change and waited while the other woenius?" Jacqueline repeated as they started out the restaurant door

"Why, yes I first o Haywood and I instantly fell in love with her She’s a breath of fresh air that our woetic Don’t you just love that sweet southern accent of hers? I swear I could listen to her speak all day"

Jacqueline had to bite her tongue to keep fro

"It’s no wonder Paul fell in love with her I think Haywood’s halfway there himself"

"Oh" Jacqueline wasn’t sure how to respond

"The committee puts out a cookbook every two years and it’s always the same people and the same recipes Just how many recipes for Cranberry Mold do we need?"

Jacqueline refrained froelatin recipe, which had long been a club favorite

"Ta of asking her to chair the committee Louise has done it for several years and she’s ready to try her hand at soood idea" Jacqueline could no longer remain silent She respected Bev’s opinion, but in this case her friend rong Tammie Lee would be an embarrassment to them all

"I know, of course, that with a baby due in the next few months, I can’t ask her to take on any additional responsibility," Bev said as she neared the parking lot Her convertible BMW was parked next to Jacqueline’s Mercedes "I don’t want to overwhelh I think Ta to have her hands full," Jacqueline agreed and stood rooted to the spot, too stunned to move while Bev clione nized Tammie Lee as the insincere little hts troubled, Jacqueline pulled into the garage at ho there Onelot and the next she was in her own garage

Another surprise awaited her when she found Reese in the kitchen He was dressed in one of his best suits and either he was ho Jacqueline didn’t ask She’d rather not know than have to hear hilanced at thespecial attention to the sale flyers When she’d finished, she walked over to the liquor cabinet and reached for a bottle of gin "Want one?"

"I’aritas had long since worn off

"What’s wrong?" he asked

"What ?"

Reese frowned "I’ve never known you to drink this early in the afternoon"

"Some occasions call for it" She turned around to study this man hom she’d spent most of her life She knew him so well--and yet she didn’t know him at all

"Where were you?" he asked

She couldn’t tell if he was genuinely interested ors her whereabouts; he’d done that a few tiirls For our ht invite Tas so "Why would I do that?"

"Because she’s your daughter-in-law and it would be one way of welco her into the family"

"I refuse to be a hypocrite She isn’t welco difficult" If one hter-in-law’s praises, Jacqueline swore she was going to scream "Why does everyone think Taet it"

Reese stared at her for a long moment "Have you ever asked yourself why Paul fell in love with her?" His voice was cool and controlled, which usually indicated that he was curbing his anger

"Of course I understand why Paul married her He was ruled by hormones instead of co his palainst the kitchen counter

Jacqueline nearly leaped out of her skin at her husband’s uncharacteristic display of teenerous The only person who doesn’t see it is you and only because you’re so blinded by your own agenda for our son you refuse to open your eyes"

Jacqueline stared at hi I’m a cold, selfish bitch, Reese?" How dare he speak that way to her!

It looked as if he meant to leave without any kind of response, but apparently he changed his mind "Perhaps you should answer that question yourself," he said

Then he walked out, sla is a soothing and co means of creative expression that can result in a war Swansen, Schoolhouse Press

LYDIA HOFFMAN

T he three woer for the last scheduled lesson Before I could start, however, Jacqueline spoke up

"I’d like to let everyone know I’ve decided against returning for the new session" She ed five dollars a week

No one"I’s weren’t entirely h I knew if she stayed, Jacqueline would be inclined to purchase the higher-end yarns