Read Online The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again by Nancy Thayer - Free Book Online

twenty-two and then some, although I’m walking and exercising more regularly than I ever did before. Never mind the competitive bridge games Gideon and I play twice a week, which are mental workouts that must burn up about a zillion calories! Faye’s doing everything she can, but once you get past sixty, your body does pretty much what it wants to do.”
    “Well, you’re over sixty,” Shirley responded calmly, “but Faye isn’t.”
    Faye lifted her chin in defiance. “
I
think everything changes when we hit menopause. After all, that’s what brought all of us together. That’s why we’re the Hot Flash Club. And the changes just keep coming. I mean, my weight’s sticking on in ways it never used to. Gosh, now I’ve got such a big bum you could sit on it!”
    Marilyn looked mystified. “But, Faye, we all sit on our bums. That’s what they’re there for!”
    “No,” Faye explained, “I mean
you
could sit on
my
bum.” Reaching around, she patted her right hip. “It’s like I’ve got a shelf or a ledge sticking out in back.”
    Shirley and Marilyn laughed, but Alice said, “I’m with you, girlfriend. I feel like I’ve got beanbags glued to my rear.”
    “You two are
so
exaggerating!” Marilyn told them. “I’d rather have your bums any day. My wrinkled bum hangs down in back like a stage curtain when the play’s over.”
    “Yeah.” Shirley nodded. “I know what you mean. That flat-bum thing isn’t very sexy.” She sighed. “I used to have the nicest,
pert,
little rounded bottom. Even
I
thought it was cute. But since I hit menopause, my buttocks sag like a bunch of wet laundry.”
    Faye laughed, relieved that even skinny Shirley had image issues. “Well, no matter what our body types are, we’re all having to deal with changes. But, Shirley, I don’t want to think of myself as
fat,
or dislike my body. It’s nice, being comfortable, and rounded. It makes me remember my grandmother, and how good I felt being around her, how secure and loved. I hope my granddaughter feels that way with me.”
    Thoughtfully, Marilyn aligned her silverware. “I have a grandchild, too, and I love her with all my heart. I also find great satisfaction in my work. And I eat lots of chocolate.” Blushing, she admitted, “But I still spend a lot of time thinking about sex these days. I don’t try to, I just can’t help it.”
    “That’s not surprising,” Shirley said. “You like to talk about variables. Well, look how your situation and Faye’s vary. She was happily married for thirty-plus years. She had great sex with her husband. You were married for the same amount of time, but to an arrogant little prick who never made you feel good in bed. I’d say your body has some catching up to do.”
    Alice chuckled. “You make it sound like all people are allotted an equal amount of sexual pleasure at birth. But I know what you mean, and I agree. Age has something to do with it, and experience—”
    “And stage of relationship,” Faye cut in. “After thirty-five years of marriage, I still adored Jack. We loved being with each other, just noodling around, reading or talking. What we lost in panting, groaning, hormone-driven sexual passion, we gained in tenderness and affection.”
    “You were lucky,” Alice said. “I really like Gideon. I really
care
for him. He’s a good man, a good friend, trustworthy, loyal—we’re very affectionate with one another. I can imagine living the rest of my life with him, although let me say right here, we haven’t yet seriously discussed even living in the same house, and we may never get to that point. We both like our independence. Still, I must confess I often feel just a little disappointed that because of his prostate operation, passionate sex won’t be part of our relationship.”
    “Well, I’m more than a little disappointed,” Marilyn admitted. “I
really
miss the sexual component. I suppose it would be different if I hadn’t had that little fling with