Yuck. Besides, her recipe had a bad enough rep as it was.
With a sigh, Josie got out of her Honda CR-V and fetched Genghis from the back, hoping a perfect excuse would come to her spontaneously. She spied Bea and Ginger waiting at the top of the hill, and prayed her spontaneity would be the instant kind.
This is ridiculous, she mumbled to herself, gathering up the leash. Shed just tell them the truth. Sure, theyd be hurt and angry, but theyd get over it. Eventually her friends would have to be happy for her.
Suddenly, Roxie was at her side, joining her for the walk up the hill.
Genghis tried to give Lilith a friendly sniff but the muzzled she-devil growled.
Morning, Rox. How are you?
There was no response. Josie peered closer into her friends face, her chances of getting any information severely reduced by the oversized dark sunglasses.
Rox? You okay?
By that time, Ginger and Bea had reached them at the hills halfway point. With a shaky hand, Roxie ripped off her sunglasses to show them that, no, everything was not okay.
The papers going to fire me, she said, her lips trembling.
What? Ginger put a hand on Roxies arm. Why? Thats ridiculous! Youre one of the best reporters we have! Are we into another round of newsroom layoffs?
Roxie shook her head. Kenny called me last night at home. Its just me, no one else. She sniffed. It seems the board complained about my Web site again.
Just ignore the little weenie, Bea advised.
Roxie shook her head and choked back tears. Kenny is the city editor, Beamy boss. And hes dead serious. He already warned me once and I blew him off.
Josies eyes went wide. Really? When did that happen?
Roxie shrugged. Last month. Kenny told me the board decided my Web site /?jeopardizes the integrity of the newspaper/ or some shit like that and, more importantly, they think it violates my contract.
How? Ginger asked.
You knoweveryone on staff agrees not to work for a competing media outlet, and thats what they think Im doing.
Bea laughed. The last time I looked, [http://i-vomit-on-all-men.com] i-vomit-on-all-men.com wasnt a general-circulation daily newspaper.
Ginger agreed. All you do is provide irrefutable evidence that men are pigs, not just in America, but all over the world. Youre providing a vital public service.
Roxie sniffed. Yeah, well, thanks. Unfortunately, the board doesnt see it that way. They told me last month to shut it down and I said I would, but, obviously, I didnt. So I have a meeting with them next Wednesday at ten.
Thats just like them to make you sweat bullets for a week, Bea said, shaking her head. Ill sniff around and see what I can find outthey might just be blowing smoke up your ass.
Thanks, I guess, Roxanne said, looking into the faces of her friends.
When she reached Josie, she tilted her head slightly and gave her a quizzical frown.
Josie knew this was her opening. Listen, guys, theres something I need to But Roxie chose that moment to burst into tears. First Raymond and now this! she cried. In a few days Ill be unattached /and/ unemployed! What have I ever done to deserve such a craptastic life? Somebody tell me!
Josie followed her friends lead and plopped down to the grass. Bea and Ginger followed, and the women gathered close as Roxie cried. They sat like that for about five minutes, watching as the sun cleared the rooftops, spilling light onto the brand-new day.
Bea was the first to speak. She put her hand on Roxies shoulder and said, Were right here, Rox. whatever you need, you let us know.
Thats right, Ginger said, patting Roxies back. Were all going to get canned eventually, with the way the newspaper business is floundering.
So well be strong together. Well get through this together.
Do you want us to go in there with you next week? Josie asked.
Roxie shook her head and laughed. I dont think having my girl-power posse along would improve the situation.
Just then, Lilith let loose with a snarling growl, low and intimidating despite the muzzle. A dog park regular had just arrived with his male husky.
Shhh, girl. Quiet. Roxie stroked Liliths short wiry hair. Give it a break, why dontcha?
Lilith began frothing.
Ive got an idea, Ginger said, sounding cheerful. Take little ole Lilith here into the board meeting with youbut forgo the muzzle. Let her release all her pent-up aggression once and for all!
Their laughter rose and fell, then faded into a round of sighs, Roxies the loudest. After a few moments, they rose from the grass and continued their walk. With every step, Josie saw how Roxie teetered on hysteria even as she talked on and on, preparing for the battle that lay ahead.
Josie figured her confession could wait a few days, at least until Roxies crisis had blown over. The last thing her friend needed to hear right now were the details of Josies miraculous discovery of her soul mate, the millionaire tattooed love god whod introduced her to true passion and mind-blowing sex. Josie figured a girl needed to be in a stable frame of mind to hear that kind of news from her best friendespecially when that friend had taken a vow of solidarity to be done with men forever.
Ready for a refill?
Rick dragged his gaze from his laptop screen to find Teeny hovering over his desk, yet again. This time hed brought in the coffeepot. Ten minutes ago the interruption had been about a problem with the security cameras at the ranch. Ten minutes before that, Teeny had come in to inform him that theyd set a date for the corporate backpacking retreat.
Rick sighed deeply. All right. I surrender. Shut the door, man. I cant stand this another second.
Teeny ran a flawless pattern to the door and back, then slid into a chair by the window, where he crossed his legs casually and asked, So, is there something in particular you wanted to talk about? His eyes twinkled as much as his diamond stud earring.
You should have been in a sorority, Rick said, shaking his head and laughing.
Tell me about it.
Rick closed his laptop and laced his fingers behind his head, still chuckling. It must have been torture for poor Teen last night, because the instant Rick got in the car, he told his friend he wasnt going to talk about his evening with Josie, that he needed some time to think things over first.
Teeny had shrugged like the topic was the furthest thing from his mind, and hed driven Rick to Pacific Heights in silence.
You want to know about Josie, Rick said. It wasnt a question.
Okay, sure. Is that what you called me in here for?
I didnt call you in here for anything, Timothy.
Teeny laughed, his mountainous shoulders shaking as he let go with a high-pitched snicker. He stomped a size 14 Italian loafer on the bamboo floor a few times for emphasis.
You need a life, Worrell.
Hey, man, I got a life. A really, really good one. But right now, Im interested in hearing about /your/ life. Were you right? Was Josie Sheehan a wild thing up under that librarians wardrobe?
Rick unhooked his fingers and swiveled around in his chair to face Teeny. She doesnt dress like a librarian.
Fair enough. A kindergarten teacher, then.
She doesnt dress like a kindergarten teacher, either.
Youre right. My bad. Teeny held out a palm in concession. Let me start over. He cleared his throat. So, was Josephine Sheehan a wild thing up under that obituary writers wardrobe?
Yup.
Damn!
But I dont kiss and tell.
Hey, man, up until recently, you didnt even kiss.
This is very true.
So whats next?
I have absolutely no idea.
Thats when Rick got up from his desk chair and walked to the glass wall of his office. Beyond he could see the UC Berkeley campus, the Bay, and the city of San Francisco spread out before him.