Lane Roberts

     “I never…” Teresa’s girlfriend hesitated, holding her wine glass high, as if she were delivering a toast. In actuality, she was daring herself to finish the sultry thought. Her eyes flicked nervously to the jesting grins of the girls gathered around her. Finally, with a deep breath, the courage surfaced. “I never… went down on a guy… in a public place.”

     The room erupted into nervous laughter, jeers, and a chorus of “Oh my God!” from the tribe of girlfriends surrounding their sleep over circle. Comfy pajamas. Pillows. And wine, of course wine. Glasses were raised in unison, though only one woman took a sip. Her bold admission quickly met with flying pillows, friendly jibes, and playful cries of, “You sluuuuttt!”

     Girls’ weekend. Not just any girls’ weekend, though. Teresa had known these women since college. These were deep rooted friendships. Solid. Tested over years, into marriages, through divorces, around children, - up, down, over and under all of the unpredictable twists and perils of life. Together, they stepped forward into adulthood and now they navigated life’s hazards with an unshakable bond. Reliable. Like I said, tested.