The Sheila Variations

This evening...

I am unable to attend the "Blogger Bash" sadly - A lot of friends are going to be there. So have a couple for me, guys.

I have what is known as "Girl Group" tonight. It's not a consciousness-raising thing, or anything like what it sounds. It is a group of girlfriends who live in the area - some from college - some more recent friends - and once a month we gather, rotating apartments, to drink wine, and talk like FREAKS in the wild. We cover every topic under the sun, but I am sworn to secrecy. Secrets are divulged. Emotional breakdowns occur. We have, on average, one breakdown a month. We take turns. It's not a good "Girl Group" if at least ONE of us doesn't burst into tears. Hysterical laughter also ricochets about, stories are told, everyone shrieks at once, and then everyone falls silent and listens. It's so much fun. I have known many of these women since I was 17 years old.

We've been meeting like this for a couple of years now - without a break. It takes quite a commitment, at times, getting schedules right, etc., but it hasn't fallen apart.

I am friends with a lot of these women's husbands - and the "husbands" (as we call them) try, by devious manipulations, to get all of us to "tell" what happens at "Girl Group". The "wives" are FEROCIOUS about keeping the secrets, but sometimes the "husbands" think that I will be more amenable to revealing what goes on, that I can be bent. They sidle up to me at group parties, and say, "So ... Sheila ... what happened at Group last week?" They are sorely mistaken if they think I am gonna "talk".

I will never talk!

The "husbands" have formed a poker group, in retaliation - but we really don't care - because we came up with our idea first.

I made a pasta dish, I have to go get some wine ... and then I shall be off.