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We were far too old to be acting this way. It's funny what a little alcohol can do. Get a bunch of girlfriends together in an old cottage by the lake, a few bottles of wine to share and a power cut brought on by a thunder storm and there is only one thing left to do.
It was Sally's idea originally - we had been reminiscing about school and Sal had reminded us about the school disco one summer - not long after the Winslow boy had died. We had all left the music and headed outside into the warm summers night - one of the older girls had had a ouija board and we all had joined in. Hiding behind janitors shed we had all held hands and summoned the dead. Of course nothing happened - there was far too much giggling and people messing about - moving the dial themselves rather than waiting for a 'spirit' to respond.
So here we were - 20 years later and having a girls only weekend at Liz's cottage. Child free, men free, responsibility free. The storm had come in quickly and after a while on the deck watching the light show across the lake, we had come inside by the fire to chat over candlelight. Sal mentioned the ouija board and we had all giggled like the teens we used to be and then it wasn't long before the 'shall we??'s began.
We all moved forward and sat on the floor cross legged like childrenin kindergarten waiting for show and tell. With no Ouija board around, Kate grabbed pen and paper and started writing out the alphabet and tearing them into squares which we all placed in a circle on the polished coffee table beside us.
Liz finished off her wine and offered it up as the pointer. All the time we were preparing, we were also remembering other occasions of our teen years and reminiscing about first loves and pregnancy scares, heartthrobs and crushes. This is what girls weekends should be about. Not for the first time did I feel grateful to be part of such a special group of women, with whom I could share such special memories.
Kate goes out to the kitchen for more wine and then we settle down to play this 'game' . I notice Kate pours herself a very large glass and looks nervous. I see her take a deep breath and then she speaks. 'Do you think there is really life after death? What do you think happens when we die?'
From the glow of the fire I can see the seriousness in her face - and the worry. Sal sniggers and says 'why Kate, you thinking of leaving us soon?' a couple of the others laugh too but I don't. I can see Kates face. I know this is no lighthearted question.
'Kate whats wrong?' I ask, putting my hand on her arm.
'Geez - she's just had too much wine.......' chides Sal ' ........feeling a little melancholy are ya Kate??? Someone take that glass from her hehehe'.
'Kate?'
She looks down and I see her bite her lip before she lifts her head and looks me straight in the eyes. 'I have cancer.........theres nothing they can do....................they found it too late'.
No more giggles. No more laughter. No more reminiscing. Just a room full of friends holding each other and no sound but the cracking of the firewood and the wind from outside.
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