At the Table Again

Twenty-four hours from now I will be sitting at this table with five other women:

Betsy, who was my best friend in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Her father died of cancer the year we met. We had our first boyfriends together, Joey and Mike. I wanted to dress just like she did, so when my mom bought me a madras skirt and a navy blue oxford weave shirt, I wore it as many days as I could get away with. It was about this time that I realized that everyone's mom didn't make their clothes.

Madeleine, who walked up to me on the steps as we waited for the doors to open on the first day of eighth grade. She was new to our school (fresh from parochial school) and a little wisp of a thing. She asked if I was Mamie, and I don't think I know to this day how she identified me, but we've been friends ever since. We went to college together also.

Emmy Lou, who used to drive me around in her blue Camero so I could smoke cigarettes. She was definitely my most level-headed friend, a great confidante. And she lived in a big, beautiful, interesting house near the country club. She was my best friend in high school.

Lisa, who was a twin, and ran with a different crowd than I in high school. I lived with her and her boyfriend (now husband) after college. She and I live in the same city and see each other at parties and around town.

Trish, my dear sister-in-law, whom I've known since I was twenty years old and started dating her brother. One of the most beautiful women I know, with a heart of gold, she and I are friends as well as relatives.

It's going to be a weekend of reminiscing, laughing, catching up, eating well, listening to oldies. I can't wait.