Joanne met her friend Clarissa for lunch on her 62nd birthday. They had been friends for 33 years. They met while they lived next door as newlyweds. Life had taken them in different directions over the years, but their friendship had been a constant.
They caught up on the news of their children’s lives over their food. Joanne told Clarissa about what her husband had been up to since losing his job five years ago.
Joanne had watched as Clarissa’s husband moved out 5 years ago and had a new relationship. She had been a bit surprised since it appeared the marriage had been strong. They followed each other on social media where they saw the highlight reels of their lives. Clarissa had shared the more realistic stories about her life with Joanne.
Her husband had actually been emotionally abusive for years. He mostly ignored her as he seemed to live his own life despite the long marriage and the two children. She was not prepared for her husband’s exit.
Clarissa was an exceptional beauty with high cheekbones, a sculpted nose, good skin and naturally curly hair which she had stopped coloring a year ago. It was now a bright silver crown of wild curls in contrast to her amber colored eyes.
Joanne had watched her friend’s foray into the world of late middle age dating from the security of her own stable, long…
