Read Online Packed and Ready to Go by Jacki Kelly - Free Book Online

The one you’re keeping a secret? We don’t even know his name.”
    “ I’m not ready to talk about him yet. When it’s right, I’ll tell you guys. You know I tell you both everything!” Ursula blushed.
    “ Is he married?” Carla asked with her index finger pointed at Ursula. “You know how we feel about messing around with married men.”
    “ No, he’s not married. I’m not one of those women.”
    “ I don’t understand the secrecy,” said Carla. “Is something wrong with him? Does he walk with a limp or have a third eye or something?”
    “ Very funny. No it’s just…” She hesitated and hunched her shoulders. “The relationship is still new. When I know for sure it’s going somewhere I’ll tell you all about him.”
    “ That’s never stopped you before,” I said. “You usually parade your men past us like flags. A few months ago it was Sam, a few months before that it was Barry, and before him it was—”
    “ Okay, I got it,” Ursula laughed. “But no matter how much you tease me, I’m not telling. Yet.”
    “ And remember you were halfway down the aisle a few years ago with that guy… What was his name?” Carla looked at me for help.
    “ Oh, how can we forget the Denzel lookalike? What was his name?” I asked.
    The server sat our meals in front of us, and for a moment we were quiet while we tasted our entrees.
    “ So what was going on between you and Walter at the graduation? Why were you so angry about the car?” Ursula shoved lettuce leaves into her mouth.
    “ It’s not the car,” I started. “I wish I knew what was going on. You know, every now and then Walter slips into one of those moods where he’s quiet and distant. It takes a little prodding, but eventually he comes around. I’m waiting on him to come out of this latest mood.”
    They both looked at me and nodded.
    “ Why can’t the man buy a car if he wants?” Ursula always took Walter’s side.
    “ I don’t mind if Walter buys a new car. But who goes out and buys a $70,000 car without mentioning it to his wife? He could have said, ‘Oh honey, I’m thinking of buying a car today after work.’”
    “ She’s got a point, Ursula.”
    “ But it’s not like a car is going to break your bank.”
    “ When we were buying the house, I talked to Walter about every little change and upgrade, even the five hundred dollars for the security wiring. It’s something we’ve always done. Now he’s changing the rules mid-stream.”
    “ I guess that’s why I’m not in a permanent relationship. There are too many rules.” Ursula put her fork down.
    I shrugged, excused myself, and went to the ladies room. Maybe Ursula was right. Did we have too many rules? Inside the stall, I dialed Walter’s BlackBerry. When the recorder came on, I punched out his office number. Then I called the country club and asked them to page Walter. I glanced at my watch, it was well after two now. If he played this morning, his game had to be over. Why hadn’t he returned any of my calls? Before exiting the restroom I opened the prescription bottle tucked in my purse. At the sink I cupped water in my hands and swallowed a pill.
    I walked to the table and tried to ignore the sour acid churning in my stomach. Ursula and Carla were whispering, probably about me. I know they thought I was weak and pathetic for putting up with so much stuff.
    “ You should try it,” Carla said to Ursula.
    I took my seat. “Try what?”
    “ I was telling Ursula about the spinning class I teach on Thursday evenings. I just put together a new jazz track, it’s real nice.”
    “ I should come too,” I said. The numbers on the scale still stung. Instead of spending time trying to track down my husband, I could work on my wide hips and growing waist. “Will my hips get as slim as yours?”
    “ For sure they will. It’s a good workout.”
    We paid the check and headed out. I glanced back to see if Marco was still there. He was gone. Now a woman with a young girl