Part 6: Chapter 2

Gals Group

Saturday, June 13, 2020
	Announce to my gals group the good news: Steve has moved his office to the bedroom. They cheer and clap on their little Zoom screens. They want to hear how it happened and if the change has improved my quality of life.
	“Well, it’s only been a week,” I answer. “And I’ve been so busy figuring out how we’re going to fill the summer days. But it’s nice to know he’s not going to pop out and say things unexpectedly. I think—” I pause, uncertain if what I’m about to say is true or not. So often the words come out and then I decide if they sound right. “I think I’m not as angry at him anymore. For whatever reason seeing his curtained office there made me mad at him, but now, I forget that he’s in the house and I think that’s good.”
	“Yes, that’s excellent,” Beatrice encourages. “It’s so healthy for couples to have separate work. And it’s no fun stepping on one another’s toes.” Believe that Beatrice has said this to me before, but I didn’t believe it earlier.
	I go on to report how the possums seem to have moved on, and we haven’t spotted any fleas in a week. Wish I could ask my gals group about Shannon’s involvement with men, but since this involves both of Beatrice’s sons, must keep this to myself. Have already attempted to casually ask Shannon if the brothers know that she is spending time with both of them.
	“I don’t know,” Shannon said nonchalantly. “Does it matter? It’s not like I’m dating them.”
	Wonder if the brothers agree. Am rather surprised that Paul hasn’t told Shannon his plans to date, marry, and produce a certain number of children by such and such a date. Maybe the bold maverick has lost his nerve now that he has met the damsel. Cannot actually imagine Paul losing his nerve to anything—possum, COVID, or his mother—, but maybe women are his Achilles’ heel.