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“Mariah has enough money; she doesn’t have to steal ours.”
    Flo left this group, satisfied she’d stirred the pot. She passed a few other members on her way to the ladies’ room. As she opened the door to enter, Mariah pushed it to exit. They knocked each other off balance. Regaining that balance, they stared at each other for a moment.
    “I should have known it was you.” Mariah brushed back a straying lock of expensively colored hair.
    “All you had to do was get your fat butt out of the way,” Flo sniffed.
    “Diva that you are, Flo, your butt—which surely harbors more cellulite than you care to admit—is no smaller than mine. But, you know, I’ve always respected your success. That’s why I know you’re trying to ruin me.”
    “What?” Flo was puzzled and irritated.
    “Whenever we’ve been forced to talk to each other about school projects, you’ve mentioned a company or two. I researched them and sometimes even invested in them. Much as I hate your guts, I know you are a financial wizard.”
    “What’s your point?”
    “You set me up for a fall. I made money—until now.”
    “You’re not my client. I have nothing to do with whatever it is you’re talking about.”
    Mariah spat, “Liz is your protégée. I’m her client and I’ve lost a lot. You’re behind it, and I know it!”
    “I did no such thing. You’re out of your mind.” Flo raised her voice.
    “I’m going to take you down, and you won’t get up again.” Mariah shook her finger in Flo’s carefully made-up face.
    “You’ll go down with me.” Flo brushed by her furious enemy.
    While Flo and Mariah displayed their mutual antipathy, Inez, alone, walked to a window that faced north. Tree branches denuded of leaves waved in the wind. A front was on the way. She hadn’t watched the weather today, but her body proved more reliable than newscasters. Whatever was behind the front made her bones ache.
    Kenda Shindler, a cheerful soul—which was helpful in her role as assistant to the president—was walking down the hall and stopped to chat with Inez. “Have you heard the weather report?”
    “No,” Inez replied.
    “Unfortunately, a big snowstorm is heading our way. The weatherman predicts it will last at least two days.” She paused. “How’s it going?”
    “I’d like to take Flo and Mariah and knock their heads together. It’s only ten o’clock. By lunch I may be ready to kill them.”
    “Ah.” Kenda knew well their conflicts.
    Inez shrugged. “Ever notice how some people are energized by an enemy?” Kenda nodded, so Inez continued, “That’s what we’ve got here. Tons of energy but to no good purpose.”
    “Well, if anyone can straighten them out, it’s you.”
    “Thank you.” Inez had her doubts. “Tally in yet?”
    “Yes, that’s why I came by the meeting. They arrived an hour ago. Big Mim, Little Mim, and Tally. Good thing they flew in a day early. Oh, yes—Harry is here, too. With two cats and a dog.” Kenda lowered her voice. “Is the dog properly housebroken?”
    “Tucker? Oh, my, yes. And knowing Harry, she probably brought kitty litter and a box. She’s good that way. I’ll be glad to see all of them. It will be like old times, Tally and I rooming together.”
    “I wish I’d known William Woods when you were a student here.” Kenda smiled.
    “Smaller then. William Woods fosters lifelong friendships. That’s certainly consistent. One becomes educated and grounded in our culture and uplifted by friendships.”
    Down the hallway, Mariah had raised her voice, and both women turned to look in her direction.
    “I don’t think they got the message about friendship.” Kenda half-giggled.
    “Oil and water, chalk and cheese.”
    “Board meeting tomorrow?” Kenda asked.
    “Yes. Everything is taking twice as long as it should.” Inez grimaced. “Yet another meeting.”
    “Maybe Aunt Tally would like to sit in.”
    Inez laughed. “Kenda, I love Tally like a sister, but she has no