The story – so far. In 1991 I was sent to the Vanier Prison for Women for six weeks. My crime? I was a volunteer signatory on a renovation grant. My colleagues were never charged.
“Mrs. Starr and her colleagues received no personal financial benefits“, said Justice Ted Wren with a smile at sentencing, “but I need to set an example”. Thanks a lot. In 1996 I received a full and unconditional pardon.
That was then – and today? My kids are great and my grandkiddies are even greater. I have a new book (my fourth) coming out in the Spring. I am in the company of very special and very interesting women that are avid readers like me. We are all over fifty, one of us is over sixty… but we don’t really believe it. We are golfers, we are successful business women, and most important, we are friends. So here we go again as I share with you the rest of our ‘let it all hang out conversation’.
Centro’s dessert menu is sitting in the middle of the table like a temptress.
“Okay girls,” says A, “let’s order two desserts and 4 forks – then we can share, less calories and we won’t feel so guilty”.
“Right”, laughed B, “and Santa Claus is a woman. Just forget it – tonight we are partying – our next get together won’t be until Patti’s book launch – so let us throw restraint to the wind…just like I do when I am seriously considering a new lover”.
“Oh, what a hook that opening line is” laughed C. “Of course now we must know every detail. But first I have a question. Do you think there will ever be a consensus on what it is about men that turns us on the most? I doubt there are major differences between the ‘been there, done that’ babes like us or younger women”.
“Babes? Us? You wish!” chirped A, first out of the gate. “Anyhow, given our fixation with lovers and other strangers, this is my take on what is the number one turn-on for women.
“It is the look in his eyes when he gazes at you. What is sexier than a man who is looking at you – and you know exactly what he is thinking – and what he wants? I just love that!”
“I suppose a meaningful look is okay” said D, “but what about the actual event? All the lecherous looks in the world can’t make up for a guy who needs a road map”.
“That is so true” A piped up, “but let’s not forget the kiss. If I don’t like the way I am being kissed, that is it. We are done. It is over”.
She is now getting some smirks and hoots – quiet hoots because we are in a public place, but still hoots.
“Come on” whispered C. “There is a hell of a lot more to the exercise than just a kiss. Lips can move in very interesting places and ways – so can hands – so who cares if the guy is a lousy lip kisser. You can give him lessons”.
“Who wants to give lessons?” snaps A, ignoring the gibes. “Do I look like a teacher?”
“Hey, you girls are doing a lot of talking about sex”, laughed B. “But I am the one who actually ‘does it’ whenever I feel like it. You guys have to think it over, analyze and rationalize”.
“Well, you certainly like to do a lot of talking about it”, said A giving her a wink. “Do you have any letters of recommendation that you would like to share?”
“Very funny” answered B. “Shall we do specifics at our next dinner on the town?”
“Anyhow, to move on”, A continued patting B on the arm. “I am now reminded that one of my favourite authors, J.D. Robb agrees with me and my assessment on how a ‘look’ can be a real turn-on”.
Laughter and more hoots.
“Hey, why are you laughing?” asks A. “Which one of you has read her books?” Three hands go up.
“Actually, now that I think about it, she is a fabulous writer of thrillers”, said C. “When I first checked her out a few years ago, her primary character and heroine, Detective Eve Dallas, was a self-made success story. Robb’s plots are set in the future, normally a turn-off for me. But oh how she makes it work”.
“I have to agree with you”, D piped in, “Robb does focus on the ‘look’ – specifically from Roarke, Eve’s lover, who is also her husband. Eve’s description of the way he looks at her is so delicious that I love just thinking about what he is going to do to her. I think I’ll pick up her latest book to read on my flight south”.
“Excuse me ladies”, said a soft, definitely male voice. We looked up into the smiling face of Armando Mano, Centro’s head honcho. “You have some gentlemen admirers here who would like to buy you a drink”.
Okay, here is the truth. That was priceless! We all looked at each other with big smiles and giggles, sort of…and it was fun. Now I don’t care how old a female is – Senior or teen – this is the kind of announcement that makes one feel so special. We all turned towards the back of the restaurant to have a look at our admirers… and to give them a wave along with our biggest smiles. Of course I knew who they were. Fruili – two – Abruzzo – one. In any other setting, I would hope that their Calabrese friend would also be there – just in case.
“I notice that you ladies are ready for dessert”, said Armando. “May I suggest a very special liqueur from our private stock to go with it?” We all nodded, the smiles still splashed on our faces.
“Make sure that one of the desserts is full of chocolate” I whispered to Armando as he turned to leave. After all, giving the three girls one of the two choices was only fair.
“Okay” murmured B once Armando had left. “Who are those guys – especially the hunk sitting in the middle?”
The ’hunk’ was a Furlane. Successful, funny, gutsy and oh so sensitive. She obviously had good taste in men. I gave her a brief bio on him.
“So, does he play?” she asked.
“Well, he has a wife that is dynamite herself. So I doubt it”.
“The story of my life”, she mumbled.
Half an hour later, just before we all got up to leave, we lifted our glasses.
“To good friends, to good health and, most important, to life!”
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