[ MAUKA-MAKAI ]
WE DESCENDED on Kahala Mall, three tall, gorgeous women all wearing black hip-huggers. We hadn't planned to dress alike; it just happened that way and we all squealed with surprise at our amazingly similar taste in clothes. 3 mothers find
encouragement, support and
cheer in each otherTHE GODDESS SPEAKS
Wanda Kulamanu Ellis Au
Special to the Star-BulletinESP, we called it.
This was our special night out with the girls to just hang loose and be ourselves. We call our exclusive little clique "The Joyless Luck Club," simply because with our busy lives, we don't get together as often as we'd like, and when we do, it's usually because one of us needs cheering up.
Sisi is 38, a high-powered executive type and former shopping center manager who finally followed my advice to take time off to be a stay-at-home mom to her three sons. The last time we met for lunch on Valentine's Day her whole family joined us. Wedged between two chattering boys who regaled me with tales of their basketball and soccer exploits, I never had a chance to really chat with Sisi.
Kimi is 34 and happy to be a stay-at-home mom, too, after years of working in the pressure pot of government bureaucracy. When last I'd seen her after an SOS call to me, she and her husband were flying out the door for his annual office party. Plunking her 9-month-old son in my lap, she had said gratefully, "You're a dear to come at the last minute. It shouldn't be too hard with Kaliko's sisters (23-month-old twins) already in bed. Thanks for being my best friend and the only one I trust with my precious babies."
Flattery will get her anywhere.
As for me, never mind how old I am. Never mind how old my five adult kids are, either. Let's just say I am the most venerable member of the Joyless Luck Club.
Sisi was an hour late arriving after helping her sons with their homework. There went our plans to luxuriate over a gourmet meal at Cafe Monsarrat. But since the dinner treat was on me, I did not vigorously object when the ladies suggested quick hot dogs, french fries and fresh-squeezed orange juice from the mall. I even whipped out my $1 discount coupons for our meals and received no looks of disdain.
Of course we all knew the menu did not matter. We must have been a curious sight to mall-goers, three laughing women with ketchup on our cheeks, pickles in our teeth and onions on our breath. We caught up on our latest escapades and gossiped about sex, other women, hunky men, clothes and the temptation of coloring our hair. No mention was made of kids with runny noses, dirty dishes and piled-up laundry or the lousy stock market. We could even burp with abandon and not feel embarrassed. We were absolutely euphoric.
The movie, "Heartbreakers," was the perfect light-hearted comedy. We put our feet up and screeched with enjoyment along with the rest of the noisy young weekend crowd.
Afterward, over mocha frappuccinos from Starbucks, we talked and laughed again until midnight, savoring each other's company. No innuendoes, no jealousy, no guarded comments. The freedom from restraint was delicious.
When it was all over, we hugged and kissed right there in the mall while my two best friends and favorite women said, "Mom, let's do this again real soon."
And, having spent a most delightful evening with my two lovely daughters, I promised them I would.
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