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"You’re i once again to go to dinner to as she finished the call

Anyone else would be depressed and nitude but Suzy would do exactly as she said She would be e straight ahead as she put her life back together

~~~

The drive through Myrtle Beach was slow during the tourist season Girls in skimpy swimsuits and even skimpier shorts walked down the Boulevard usually followed by so The water parks and putt putt courses were doing a booht years with the weight of so much responsibility on her shoulders She was relieved when she h the heavy traffic and arrived at her mother’s home

Quickly, she exited the car and made her way to the door so she could turn a blind eye today to all the repairs that were so obviously needed Louise aiting with the door open and a s welco for her each time?

In a way, Louise became more of a mother to her than her own over the last few years With herAlzheinized that Claire and Louise were always there to smooth the hurt away

She walked to the top of the steps and put her ar Louise looked inquiringly at Claire, "you okay honey?"

"I’reat Louise and I like the new hair color" Both burst out laughing at the same time Louise’s hair was the usually brown but there was now a decidedly pink hue to it

"You kno it goes on the hair, soirl on the box, and sohed Louise

"Well I think it looks great," Claire said as they walked into the house

Claire saw her ht smile "Hi mom, you look so nice today"

Her mother looked at Claire in confusion and asked, "Louise do we have co in her stomach, Claire realized that her mother had no idea who she was She walked slowly forward as not to startle her mother and played the role she’d been forced into ain," Claire said as she extended a hand towards her mother

Her mother hesitantly held her hand out and Claire took it in her own and gave it a light squeeze

"Evelyn, Claire is a friend who is joining us for lunch today; I hope that’s ok with you" Not waiting for a reply, Louise stepped forward and gently led herarea and then continued on to the kitchen

Soer to her mother rather than have to pretend she was Chrissie These lapses of memory could last for her entire visit or her mother could slip in and out several ti to keep up with

"What can I help you with Louise?" inquired Claire

"I don’t need any help honey, just have a seat and relax while I finish the sauce up" Claire took a seat on the sofa and noticed that herFamily Feud Claire discussed the contestants with her and enjoyed seeing how ania and Claire quickly cleaned her plate and helped herself to seconds Even being a stranger to herwith them more than she had in quite soave Louise another hug and also chanced giving herafter the enjoyable evening, Claire pulled into the lot of her apart her space Deciding to use the visitor’s parking at the end of the complex, Claire locked up and quickly headed towards her door There was no sign of Billy, and she opened her door and shut it with a feeling of triuh at herself Maybe her luck was changing after all

Chapter Ten

Claire entered her office on Mondayapprehensive about as to come Would this be the day that Jason confronted her about her job at Partiez Plus? She would have no choice in the matter if he forced her hand; she would have to quit her job with Partiez and then look for another job to fill the incoap She would have to workfor Pa Claire to wonder if he was in yet this

She noticed a note from Jason on her desk as she slid into her seat Quickly ski the note, Claire felt a s; Jason was going to be out of the office today The note instructed her to check her email for a list of tasks that needed to be completed, and that he would not be in the office until to and only paused to grab a drink and pack of crackers out of vending before getting back to work Around 2 ph the door Claire stopped the e and carefully studied Suzy’s face A, you’d never knohat happened to her this weekend; she looked exactly the saed at her lips as she read Suzy’s t-shirt one ht orange and had Little Caesar’s Pizza in s at the bottoan ‘Hot and Ready’ She’d paired the eye catching shirt with a pair of snug black jeans, a chain belt, and a pair of stiletto heels Only Suzy could make an outfit like that seem perfectly norhed despite herself and said, "He’s out of the office today"

"So reht? Jeff had a littleto spend every last dime of it on a fancy-shmancy meal at that new restaurant, The Ivy," said Suzy hat could only be called an evil smile

"Oh , I’ve heard of it, and I’retfully

"No worries, I’ve got everything covered I brought two dresses within my office"

"Suz, I can’t wear your clothes; they’ll be too short foras a dress that’s too short, it will be fine I have theshoes as well, and I knoe both wear the same size, so we’re all set"

Suzy looked so pleased with herself; Claire didn’t have the heart to argue with her If it kept that sht if she had to Suzy arranged to meet her in the restrooe and leave straight from work for their six o’clock reservations at Ivy