“That’s only because he hasn’t met a real woman like me before,” Josie giggled.
“Naturally.”
“I’m fine, actually. Honestly, I’m too busy at the moment to give any meaningful effort to a relationship.”
“Yeah. It does take effort.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me, Angel?”
“No. Max and I are good. But he’s been stressed lately. He’s so busy with work.”
“To be fair, the man has an A-type personality.”
“I know. I like that about him. Nothing worse than falling in love with a bum. Max’s ambition is sexy.”
“Speaking of bums,” Josie said and pulled a naughty face. “How’s Peter?”
“Nice one, Josie.”
“You know I’m only teasing. But seriously. How is he coping on the outside?”
“He’s okay. We don’t talk all that much.”
“Is it hard for you?”
“I was a nervous wreck when he got paroled. He’s been in prison since I’ve known him. It’s taken some getting used to–for both of us.”
“I can’t imagine what prison must be like. They say most ex-cons reoffend because they can’t get used to the freedom. How fucked up is that?”
“I can understand that. The structure gives them a false sense of purpose I suppose.”
“Screw that. I’d go nuts if I couldn’t come and go as I please.”
“I’m with you there.”
“Okay, fatty. What are we having for brunch?”
“Fatty! Careful, you cheeky shit. I’ll snap you like a twig with my thunder thighs.”
Josie laughed from her gut as I struck a sumo wrestler pose.
“Oh, please. You’re still skinny. It’s just that I can see the difference. You look beautiful, Angel. I’m happy for you. I miss you.”
“Ditto. I don’t feel like cooking. How about we order a pizza? It will be like old times.”
“Pepperoni?”
“What else?”
“Deal.”
Josie and I talked the hind leg off a donkey for hours. Max called and said he had to go into the office for a bit and that he’d see me for dinner. I was lazy and all talked out after my visit with Josie, so I had a nap.
Josie’s comment about my weight got me thinking. My clothes were definitely a little tighter than usual. I stood in front of the full-length mirror after a shower and looked critically at my body. My boobs were bigger, and I was carrying a tad more around the waist.
The two things weren’t that unusual. I always bloated before I started my period, and I was due any day. My boobs were sore, so I was bracing myself for a gusher. Ugh. Bloody periods.
I was a skipper–one month I’d bleed like mad and the next month I’d skip my period altogether. I’d always been that way. It used to stress me out like mad, especially once I started having sex. I was constantly worrying about unwanted pregnancies, even though I was always on the pill.