The Brunch

“Did you see her engagement ring?” Stella asked Ellen. Ellen nodded and looked around to make certain no one could hear them.

“The diamond is so small I almost took out a magnifying glass,” Ellen said and snorted with laughter. “Honestly, if Bruce asked me to marry him with that ring, I would have turned him down.”

Stella smiled cruelly. “Beggars can’t be choosers.”

With a small gasp she quickly hid, Ellen saw Samantha standing next to them. “Good Lord, Sam, you gave me a fright! Where were you? I didn’t see you come in.”

Samantha smiled and joined them at the table. “I decided to join you for brunch after all,” she said and poured herself a mimosa from a carafe. “Have you ordered?” she asked and they shook their heads, “Good, I’m starving.” She leaned forward and whispered, “Gavin is insatiable since our engagement. I must be burning literally hundreds of calories every night.” They all laughed but Ellen rolled her eyes at Stella when Samantha wasn’t looking.

“How are your studies coming, Sam?” Stella asked.

“They’re grueling. But I’m nearly done. Then I just have to pass the bar and I’m on my way.”

“I’m so glad I didn’t go on to graduate school. It would have been a waste of money, since Bruce will work for his father and I won’t have to work.” Ellen said, tossing her glossy black hair over her shoulder.

“Yeah, rub it in, why don’t you?” Stella said. “I’m going to have to work at the magazine with mother until I can land a man to take care of me.” Stella sipped her drink, “That’s the dream, girls,” she said wistfully.

“Of course, you would have to work, Samantha, given the line of work Gavin is in. Social work is noble, but it can’t pay rent on a New York townhouse,” said Ellen. “But together you’ll climb the social ladder and you’ll probably become one of those high powered attorneys like on TV, right?”

“Actually, I’m hoping to get a job in the District Attorney’s office,” Samantha said. “That’s where I want to take off from. I have ambitions, ladies.” Sam had to leave then, and the two women waited until she was out of earshot before they broke into gales of laughter.

A few years later, neither of them would be laughing at Samantha. They would both desperately need her help to get each one out of a mess of their own makings, and Samantha was their only hope. Samantha was happy to help, but, of course, she would expect a few small favors in return…

Copyright ©2025 Lisa Paul

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