Read Menopause to Matrimony (Fortytude Series Book 2) for Free Online Page B

Claire lies on her stomach in the adjacent family room, content as ever now that she has her sidekick back. We watch as Hayden comes to sit down cross-legged beside her. As usual when it comes to others, she doesn’t give him much notice.
    “I really have no idea. It’s been too long for me to remember what’s normal for a kid her age.”
    “I mean, I’m glad she’s into music. That’s good. But I don’t think I’d worry as much if she wasn’t so… I don’t know… crazed about it.” Carly stares into her bowl and mashes the ice cream with her spoon. “She needs other kinds of interactions. I know it will be ugly, but I think the iPad’s gotta go.”
    Seth approaches and joins us. “I’m sorry if I’m intruding on your conversation, but have you tried anything else that’s related to music?”
    Carly shifts about and wrinkles her nose. “No, not really. I’ve tried getting her involved in TV shows, like on Disney or Nick Jr. The thing is, it’s not just listening to music that appeals to her. She wants to make it. Interact with it. That’s why she likes all those apps.”
    “What about putting her in music lessons?” I suggest. “Like piano or something? I know she’s really young, but she’s so stinkin’ smart! And it would force her to interact with a human.”
    Carly breaks a smile at my smart-ass remark.
    “Dance maybe?” Seth proposes.
    “Oh no.” Carly shakes her head. “The poor thing is klutzy as hell!”
    “Toddlers are supposed to be klutzy, aren’t they?” Seth leans forward on the counter. “Then dance would help with her coordination.” I find it kind of endearing that he has jumped into this problem-solving session with us. “Let’s try something.”
    Seth walks to the family room where everyone else is chatting, and Carly and I eye each other, puzzled. However, I’m struck with the familiar bathroom urgency, due to my monthly hell.
    “I’ll be back,” I tell Carly and head upstairs to the restroom. Once in the powder room, I again discover the need to change my underwear. “Gahhhh! Really?” That’s it, uterine lining. You gots ta go!
    After cleaning myself up, I come back downstairs and can hardly believe my eyes. A satellite music station is turned way up on the television, and Seth is trying to get Geena to dance with him to the Bee Gees. When she declines, he’s not deterred from showing off his dance moves, which, quite frankly, are pretty hilarious. Everyone, Ahsan included, is hugely entertained as he laces his fingers and rolls his hands in a wavelike motion while gyrating his hips. If it was his plan to distract Claire from her iPad, it’s working. She’s mesmerized, staring at him as if he’s from another planet.
    Since he’s unable to convince Geena to be his partner, he holds out his hand to Carly, who surprisingly, accepts his invitation. Considering that Carly has never disco danced a day in her life, Seth’s doing a pretty good job of leading. Now that I think about it, he is five years older than Kiran, so I suppose he may have picked up this talent in high school.
    Kiran is leaning against the media cabinet with his arms crossed, a ginormous smile on his face.
    Carly lets go of Seth and moves toward Claire, where she lifts her from the floor and dances with her in her arms. The music has now gone from the Bee Gees to The Commodores’ “Brick House,” and Claire has the slightest of smiles on her face, having completely forgotten about whatever she was doing. She’s too enthralled with Seth at the moment, who puts one hand on the back of his head and swings his hips in a circular motion.
    “Anna?” He now holds out his other hand to me.
    “Go on, Anna!” Kiran calls. “I know you danced with your dad as a girl.”
    I cover a smile with my hand. Considering it for a moment, I bow my head, before abruptly breaking into my hitchhike move, leaning back and forth into my extended thumbs. For added sexiness, I include the white man’s