Page 26 of Phoenix Rising

“Ladies, this is supposed to be fun, not an art class.”

Audria glanced up to see Pops standing over them with a fond grin. Would it be rude to tell him to get lost? She had questions to ask.

“Get messy. Splatter paint. Have fun. You’re a kid. Remember?”

Audria obediently dragged orange paint over her picture, obliterating the fall forest that had been taking shape, and waited for Pops to stroll away. “Did Jan tell you what she was doing here?”

“She said she was going through a breakup and taking time for herself. She thought this class would help.”

“Did it?”

“I think so. She was laughing, and we had a good time.”

“Do you know if she signed up for other workshops?”

Jules lifted a shoulder and scratched her nose, leaving a streak of blue. “She didn’t say, but I told her about the furries, and she was super interested. She even booked a spot in one of their classes when our session ended. We mostly talked about our childhoods. Jan had a privileged upbringing and didn’t get to do things like this.”

Paige grew up with wealth, much like Reese. Had he been allowed to paint with fingerpaints growing up? She glanced over to where he was running Play-Doh through an extruder. His partner was talking away while Reese nodded.

“Your husband is very handsome.”

Audria dragged her gaze away from Reese to focus on Jules. “He is.”

“I thought it was so sweet when he kissed you before he stood to meet his partner. My Rodney never likes to show any public displays of affection.

“I’m lucky,” Audria agreed. “What are the furries you mentioned earlier?”

“Oh, it’s so fun too. You get to dress up as animals.”

“And do what?”

“Well, mingle with fellow animal lovers.”

Audria had heard about the practice before but wasn’t up on what happened when they got together. “You said Jan signed up for it?”

“She did. She was very interested when I told her about it. I gave her the number, and when we returned to the lockers, she reserved a spot in the class. Rodney and I were supposed to join her, but Rodney Junior got sick.”

Jules’s lips curved down, and Audria prayed Rodney Junior didn’t have the incurable cancer she’d mentioned earlier. “I think I’ll book a session for my husband and me. We’re trying new things on this trip.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea. I promise you’ll love it. I’m not sure which activity I enjoy more.”

A bell rang, letting them know it was time to switch stations. Audria and Jules’s next stop was a hopscotch board and jump ropes. Audria picked up the rope while Jules began hopping from one foot to two. Judging by the smile on her face, she was having a blast. Audria forgot how much she loved to jump rope for fun instead of exercise.

She tried to ask more questions about Paige, but Jules had no more helpful information. She didn’t know where Paige had been staying or where she was going next. Brick wall.

Their next activity was a bouncy room where Audria laughed way too much, followed by Play-Doh, Legos, and Barbie, Ken, and GI Joe dolls. She had to admit, the time had flown by, and she’d enjoyed herself. Jules was a terrific partner.

“Did you have fun?” Jules asked.

“I did.”

“See, I told you.” She reached out and hugged Audria. “You should come to the B session. This was the A. There are different activities. Oh, and the sleepover is a must. There are s’mores and board games and ghost stories, and you can use sleeping bags. It’s a blast.”

Precisely as Reese had thought. “I’ll see if I can talk my husband into it.”

They found paper and exchanged information to keep in touch. Audria might have more questions about Paige. They hugged again before heading back to the locker room.

Reese entered, and the smile on his face was genuine. He’d been laughing each time she checked him out—and it had been often. After they changed back into their clothes, they left the building. It was dark out now, but people were still strolling around the town. Audria asked, “Did you enjoy yourself?”

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