Tuesday morning at work, I still soared from my retail therapy high from the night before. Not only did Riley make shopping fun, she had a real knack for knowing what styles I liked and what flattered me. She pushed my limits a few times, but I agreed to try something I wouldn’t normally choose, and each and every time, she was right.

In the end, after trying on about a million dresses—give or take—she found the perfect little white dress for me. White scared me, and I informed her of that. All she replied was, “Try it, honey. Let the light in.” Holy cow, was she right. The material fit me like a glove. It was a mid-length cocktail style with a flirty flare on the hem. The waist was high, tight under the girls for extra support. At the straight neckline, my cleavage fought for attention. But the pièce de résistance was the open back. It said chic yet naughty all at the same time. I was over-freakin’-joyed at not needing a bra underneath. After buying the dress, I found a cute outfit for work—on a huge sale—then we went out for a quick bite and back home again.

Roza knocked on my apartment door as soon as we collapsed on the couch. After hours of rummaging and traipsing, we just dropped our bags onto the floor. “Come in, Roza. I can’t move.” In she waddled, zeroing in on the bags like prey. “Ah, I see you were successful. Good job. Tomorrow I will do your special hair and makeup.” She turned and shuffled out.

Dammit. Riley slapped her hand over her mouth and giggled. Shit.

I beat Vivienne to work the next day. She walked in while I was busy fighting with the copier and blew a high-exaggerated whistle at me. “Look at you, gorgeous. Love the new duds. Where’d ya get ’em?” she inquired as I removed the paper from the machine and sat down.

“Riley was in charge of retail therapy last night. Well, actually, Roza forced her to after dissing my entire wardrobe,” I said, arms crossed over my chest, adding a pouty face for effect. Then I filled her in on my evening.

“So, basically, in a nutshell,” she sat back and observed, “Roza thinks it’s time for you to get a little somethin’ somethin’. Let me amend that. A big handed somethin’ somethin’.” Eyebrow lifting ensued with rather obscene hand gestures. I couldn’t hide my giggle this time.

“Don’t be so crude.” I chucked an eraser at her and sat down. “She thinks I need to get back in the game. So does Riley.”

She leaned back and sighed loudly, tapping her nails on the arms of the cushy black leather chair. “She’s right, you know.” Her eyes found mine and wouldn’t let them go. “They are right. It’s long past time you got your booty back out there.” She nodded her head like she was imparting some extremely important info. “And I know why. It’s because of what that bonehead did to you. I get that, I do.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Been there, got the T-shirt.” She stared off into space, frowning like she remembered something unpleasant. Her expensive fake eyelashes—nice ones, not the kind that resembled a spider taking up residence—fluttered, and she took another deep breath and crossed her arms.

Eyes still closed, she continued, “What I’m trying to say is that we all make shitty choices sometimes. We don’t necessarily marry,” she snapped her green, kohl-lined eyes open, “our shitty choices, but you’ve learned, Harper. The hard way for sure, but you learned.” Her head tilted to the side, questioning me with her statement.

"Yeah, learned how to continually pick cheating assholes. Gabe wasn’t the first, you know. Before him was Randy. Granted I was young…well, we were teenagers, but it still killed.” My stomach twisted in loyal remembrance. “Let’s face it. Men suck.”

“Here’s what we’re gonna do. Tonight, I have a supper meeting at Vine. Why don’t I meet you and Riley at Venue right after? We’ll all hang out. No pressure. Just a few hot babes having a good time, enjoying the nightlife.”

“Nightlife? Who’s enjoying the nightlife?” I startled and turned around to see Audrey, Murray’s wife, with the twins in tow. “I can’t even remember what the heck the nightlife is anymore. I’m in bed by nine p.m. Well, I wish I could be in bed by seven, but these monsters won’t go to sleep.”

“Hi, Auntie Harper,” the boys said in unison as they raced and fought each other for who hugged me first. They settled in a jumbled, yet effective version of tangled arms, legs, and heads.

“Hi, guys,” I said, laughing at their sweet, sincere faces. “I missed you both so much.”

“Yeah, we know. That’s why we colored pictures for you.” Nick stepped back and held out a picture of something that resembled a page from of a Rorschach test.

“That is beautiful, my picki Nicki. I love it. Thanks, baby,” I said as he shoved his paper into my hand.

“No, me first, Auntie Harper.” Levi bulldozed past Nick and slapped his creation on my chest, trying to outdo his brother as usual.

The twins were a handful. Correction—they were like twenty handfuls thrown at your face all at once. The love I had for them was huge, but man, were they challenging. How Audrey was still standing remained a mystery. That woman spent every hour of every day with those monkeys.

“You two, run into Daddy’s office and see if he has any candy. Leave no stone left unturned,” she coached the boys, then herded them into Murray’s office.

“Yay!” was all we heard. They knew as well as we did that Murray was a sugar-aholic, so undoubtedly there would be hoards of sweets in there.

“Now what’s this about someone enjoying the nightlife?” Audrey eyed us suspiciously as only a mother could. “Are y’all going out on the town without me?” Her eyes narrowed to slits. “I do nothing all day.” She put her hand on her heart. “Except watch bad cartoons and step on Legos.” Her strong, golden-brown arm reached in front of me and she put her hand on mine.

Vivienne spoke up, “We’re going out tonight.” Next, she whispered with her hand cupped over the side of her mouth, “First time since the big D for Harper.”

Nodding, Audrey took her hand back and raised her eyebrow at me. “Ah, gotcha. Girlfriend needs to get an itch scratched.” She tapped her index finger on her lips. “I’ll wear my hot red number. Murray will have a fit.” Laughter erupted from her mouth while she likely imagined her husband having said fit. Audrey’s hilarity was contagious, and soon we were all giggling when Murray walked through the front doors.

“I’m afraid I don’t want the answer, but I’ll ask anyway. What’s so funny?” He frowned and waited for the bomb to drop.

As she wiped under her eyes, Audrey sobered and said, “It’s girls’ night out.”

Terror and confusion washed over Murray’s face. “But who’s going to watch the boys?” My guess? He instantly regretted saying it. If it failed to be obvious before who the boys’ main evening caretaker was, it certainly was now. Realization dawned on him too late that he’d screwed the pooch. His previous expression of terror changed to an oh shit look.

Poor Murray.

Audrey’s hands moved to her hips. “Murray Edwin Jones, you did not just say that. Those little rats are yours just as much as mine.” Her nostrils flared. “You can watch them for a few hours by yourself. Honestly, I have them all day long, every day,” she said, exasperated.

“They’re in school for half the day now, Audrey,” he said in a know-it-all tone. And that confirmed it to me—Murray was born without a filter. Or a brain.

“Are you insane?” she shrieked. “Half the day? Half the day? I don’t think so. By the time I get them ready, which takes ninety God-awful minutes,” she pointed to her watch, “walk them to school, and come home, it’s time to go pick them up again.”

Yes, time flew when you were having fun.

Murray’s jaw opened and closed, a tiny bead of sweat was visible, high on his forehead. There was no way to dig himself out of this one.

“That’s it.' Audrey pitched both fists up in unison. “I was only going to go out for a couple of hours. But now?” Her eyes widened. “No way.” She shook her head and her straightened hair moved reluctantly from side to side. “Who knows what time I’ll come back now.”

A phone was hurled in my direction, and luckily I caught it. “Program in your number. I’ll text you and we can arrange girls’ night details.” With nimble fingers, I did as ordered. Vivienne looked at me, wide-eyed, with a don’t say anything look.

“Boys!” Audrey yelled, and my eardrums burst. “Say bye to Daddy. The mall is waiting, and Mommy needs a new pair of shoes. It’s another day off from school today, so you two have to come with me.” Satisfied, chocolate smeared smiles emerged from Murray’s office.

“Aw, do we have to? I hate the mall,” Levi stated and stomped his foot. Nick nodded his agreement in a rare show of solidarity.

“Can we stay here with Daddy? Please, please, please?” Nick asked, the expression of hope so sincere in both of their eyes.

“Say goodbye to your father. We need to go.” Audrey walked over to Murray, but the twins beat her, hugging their dad just long enough to wipe their sticky mouths and fingers all over him.

“Murray, the Visa,” she requested, holding one hand out, while the other sat defiantly on her hip. He inhaled loudly and grabbed his wallet out of his pocket but didn’t say a word. Perhaps he was finally learning?