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groggily.
    “Everything was beautiful. The food was delicious! Did Katherine and Jacob get off okay?”
    “I know what you meant, like take off for their honeymoon, but that sounded really weird.”
    “Ewww!” I stir some milk into my coffee. “Maybe it was a Freudian slip, since it’s been at least a couple of weeks since David and I have gotten off.”
    She laughs. “I’m sorry to hear that. Any more drinking binges?”
    I take my mug into the living room, sit down on the couch, and put my feet up. “I’m not sure. I don’t think so.”
    “Good. So who was that I saw you talking with last night, and where can I get his number?”
    “It was your own daughter’s reception. Weren’t you supposed to know who everyone was?”
    “Did you see how many people were there? If they weren’t one of Kat’s guests, I had no clue. Actually, there were several people that she invited and I still couldn’t tell you who they were. You know I’m terrible with names!”
    Trixie trots up, wagging her tail and wiggling her butt, reminding me that I haven’t pet her hello this morning. She’s a pit-greyhound mix I got at the shelter three years ago. I scratch her ears, and she immediately falls on her back, inviting me to rub her tummy.
    “His name is Kiran,” I say to Julia’s question. “He was a guest of Jacob’s side of the family, but he actually went to high school with us.”
    “You’re kidding! How weird is that? I’m pretty sure I would remember him.”
    “He didn’t look like that in high school. He was among us mortals back in those days. But the funny thing is, he remembered me because I told off some guy who teased him all the time. I’d forgotten all about it.”
    “Score a point for Anna!”
    “Yeah, well, the unexceptional had to stick together. Good for him that he no longer needs my services.” I brush some chip crumbs off the couch. Hayden!
    “I didn’t mean to change the subject earlier about you and David. Do you need to talk? Do you want to meet for dinner or something?”
    I shake my head, then realize she can’t see me. “I’m okay. Keep that offer open, though.”
    “Always.”

 
    Six
     
    “Good morning, Anna.” Geena Kapur takes a seat in my waiting area. At sixty-nine, she’s one of my patients recovering from a hip replacement, and I can only hope to look as good when I’m her age. She’s one of those older women who knows how to dress her age without wearing pocketless, elastic band jeans and ugly, orthopedic sandals. Her long, straight black hair has little grey and is pulled back into a ponytail, away from her olive-colored skin.
    “Good morning, Geena.” I could use a few pointers from her when the time comes. Come to think of it, I can probably use them now. Shopping for clothes when you’re a woman my age is such a pain in the ass. You want to look stylish, but you have to be careful not to dress too young or you’ll look ridiculous.
    I frequently shop at Kohl’s, simply because there’s one by my house, and they suck me in with the thirty percent off coupons and Kohl’s Cash.
    The cutest, most appealing clothes are always in the juniors section, but the cuts are not made for older women, hence the name juniors . Even though I’m slim, I have pushed out two babies, and juniors clothes tend to accentuate belly pooches and back fat, creating the dreaded muffin top. Therefore, most of the time juniors are not an option.
    In my quest for decent clothing, I’ve roamed the misses department, making my way through Vera Wang, J.Lo, on to Chaps, and then before I know it, I’m horrified to realize I’ve crossed the aisle into the old lady section. That’s right. Dana Buchman and Croft & Barrow. I’m not saying these clothes are hideous. They’re not as bad as the mail order styles you find in coupon flyers, but let’s face it. It’s clothing for older ladies. Maybe it is intended for women my age and I’m just in denial. Whatever the case, I’m not ready