Umbrella Drinks

The three women were gathered in a shady nook beside one of the resort's swimming pools. An artificial cascade splashed down on the other side of the pool. They wore sun visors, bright tropical blouses and flip-flop sandals, but were otherwise bare below the waist. Their figures had softened in the years since they'd first met, the pale redhead and the dark-skinned woman showing a little belly, but they all radiated confidence in their beauty.

The woman with bright red hair styled in a short cap style turned in her lounge chair and asked her neighbor, "So what did you tell your husband, Laura?"

The tall blonde uncrossed her legs and stretched, rubbing her fingertips through her golden bush. "Nothing. Well, he knows that after we saw each other at the reunion, we planned a vacation trip for just us girls to catch up. He's out on a golf trip, the kids are at camp, and I'm with you-all." She looked to the next lounge chair, where a woman with deep brown skin, tightly curled black hair buzzed on the sides and gold earrings was sitting. "I guess you don't have that problem, Lana."

Lana waved her ringless left hand. She said, "Well now, you met my Terry Lou at the reunion. We do live together, you know. Same bed live together, in case that wasn't perfectly clear."

Laura laughed. "Terry Lou was hanging on pretty tight to you at the reunion. She's a precious kid. Where's she at now?"

Lana said, "She's at a women's music festival this week and knows exactly where I am. My ex has the kids for the summer, being Mister Fun Dad. How about you, Meggie?"

"Well, you know how I met Jim," the redhead said. "Pried him out of the Free Love House Share. I think he's back there for Old Home Week. All he said was to have a good time and tell him the best parts."

Lana and Laura laughed.

"I missed you all so much," Meg said. "When are Diane and Rachel coming?"

"Afternoon," Lana said.

"What do we do till then?" Meg asked.

"Another drink, then back to the cottage for a nap?" Laura suggested.

"Make some plans so Diane and Rachel can slide right into their vacation?" Lana suggested.

Author's note: ran out of ideas, so comment if you have some thoughts. -Z.