Once Upon a Project by Bettye Griffin Page B

the projects. Susan never spoke about why she left Charles. Eventually she met and married businessman Bruce Dillahunt.
    Elyse watched as Pat made her way to the podium. “Looks like they’re about to start,” she said to Susan.
    â€œI’m surprised Grace isn’t here.”
    â€œShe’s supposed to be coming, but Pat said she’s always late. I’m sure she’ll show up any minute.”

Chapter 7
    G race arrived close to the end of Pat’s welcome speech. Camera bulbs flashed as Pat spoke, mostly from a young man who appeared to be a professional photographer. It looked like Pat had received the media coverage she sought.
    Susan held up a hand as Grace scanned the dim room. Grace nodded and waved back, then made her way to the back. Her late arrival allowed her to skip past Minnie Johnson and company, all of whom were focused on listening to Pat speak. Susan wished she’d been so lucky.
    Grace looked good, Susan thought. She’d been voted Best Looking in high school, and she really hadn’t changed much in thirty years. Susan’s practiced eye told her Grace probably wore a size 8. None of the rest of them could say that. Elyse, who’d been on the chubby side even as a child, had put on the most weight. Pat’s always curvaceous figure had become somewhat more voluptuous, but she probably wasn’t much heavier than Susan herself, who managed to get into a 10 most of the time. She had to admit that despite the extra pounds they all looked pretty good for women about to turn fifty.
    Too bad the Dreiser Homes hadn’t held up as well. Had the fifteen-story buildings always looked so shabby? No wonder her children were so appalled at the sight of the complex. Maybe the city should just tear them down, like the other old high-rise projects they were in the process of razing.
    Grace quietly leaned over to press her cheek against Susan’s, then greeted Elyse the same way. “Have I missed much?” she asked in a library whisper.
    Elyse shook her head. “No, not really. Pat’s just saying that the buffet is ready, and that after lunch she’s going to pass the mike and ask everyone to say a few words about their time in Dreiser and a little about what they’re doing today.”
    â€œPerfect.” Grace glanced around the room at the attendees, most of whom were rising to go over to the buffet table, then gave a dismissive shrug. “Well, I see it’s mostly old folks, like I expected. I only came because Pat wanted me to make a statement after lunch.” She rolled her eyes. “I hope the party tonight is more exciting than these senior citizens sitting around giving their dentures a workout.”
    Elyse and Susan spoke at the same time. “What party?”
    â€œThe party at Junior’s Bar. When Pat posted a flyer on their bulletin board, they decided to hold a Dreiser Reunion Party tonight. They’ll charge a cover and serve some chicken and spaghetti, maybe a little salad. Aren’t you coming?”
    â€œI didn’t even know about it,” Elyse said.
    â€œI didn’t, either,” Susan added. “But it sounds like fun. If I’d known about it ahead of time, I wouldn’t have brought my kids so I could go. But I’ll have to bring them home after lunch.”
    â€œI wish you’d known about it,” Quentin piped up.
    â€œBe quiet, Quentin; nobody’s talking to you. And say hello to Ms. Corrigan.”
    â€œHello, Ms. Corrigan,” he said obediently.
    Susan then introduced Alyssa to Grace, who said, “They’re so sweet, Susan. Sometimes I wish I’d had another baby, maybe while I was married to Danny, since I could afford to do more for a baby at that time in my life than I could when I was married to Jimmy.” She sighed. “You girls don’t know how lucky you are to still have young kids.”
    Elyse gave her friend a dubious stare.