"It's Diana Hughes risen from the grave!" came the exclamation across the food court.
Diana spun to see a table of three women frantically waving. Diana smiled and strolled over to sit in the last open chair dropping her bags next to her.
Three voices assailed her simultaneously.
"You're tan in the middle of February?"
"How can you still dress like that?"
"My God, you're positively glowing."
"Uh, hi to you guys too," Di snagged a slice of pizza from the open box on the table.
"Seriously, why do you look so incredible?" Susan's eyes were wide open as they scanned down Diana.
"Well, I'm taking Matt to Jamaica on Spring break for a final year fling, so I've been hitting the tanning salon."
"Okay that explains the color, but what about the killer figure. Look at us, gravity has not been nearly as kind to us. It's not fair," Kim whined.
"You know me, I've always been a freak about what I'm eating," Di stopped to look at the half eaten greasy slice in her hand. "Usually. Plus I seem to be playing a lot of Wii with Matt lately. Besides which, look who is talking, none of us are even remotely near fifty yet. You all still have great figures."
"Oh, no. You can fool these two but not me. I've been divorced too long. I know that glow. You're getting some action. Give the details girl." Lacey pointed a finger at Diana.
Diana held her hands up. "Seriously, no way. Just quality time with Matt and excitement over five days of fun in the sun. You know me, I hate the snow."
The three friends looked at each deciding if they were going to buy her story.
"Come on guys. I don't even know the name of a single bachelor out there."
"Anonymous sex can be the best kind," Lacey laughed.
"Which is why you've been divorced longer than we've been married," Kim shot back.
"See, your lives are much more interesting than mine," Diana shot in.
"You don't see any of us going to Jamaica any time soon," Lacey was not ready to give up yet.
"Sure, with my son," Diana pointed out, "in separate rooms I might add, just in case you have that perverted a mind."
"Well, sure. It would be awkward to kick out your own son if you scored some gorgeous beach hunk," Susan laughed.
"Gravity hasn't been THAT kind," Di retorted.
"You don't see any of us wearing that tight a coat or jeans; what color paint are those pants anyways?" Kim still couldn't get over Di's figure.
"Hey Deb's pants are always a little small. You know that."
"Girl, none of us have been able to fit in Deb's stuff for at least five years."
"Yeah, right. I don't buy that for a minute. Speaking of buy, I need to get home to try on these suits in private so I can be horrified at what gravity has done and return them quickly."
"Why don't you model them for Matt and give him a preview of the fun." Lacey's eyes were lit with a mischievous glint.
"What, and scare the poor boy from the beach? No thanks." Diana got up grabbing her bags.
"Di, it has been great seeing you. Why don't you rejoin the living and come out with us next Friday to Flynn's for a girls' night." Susan smiled at her old friend.
"Sure, why not. Let me check and make sure Matt doesn't have anything going on and I'll be there." Diana turned and left grinning at the conversation that started even before she was out of earshot.
Later a nude Diana was contemplating giving Matt a modeling show after all as a test of the new suits when she heard a knock at the door. Grabbing her dressing gown she headed to the door.
"Gee Sue; long time no see." Diana stepped back to let her shivering friend in the house.
Sue stomped her feet and rubbed her arms. "It's ten below and you're barely dressed?"
"Trying on suits, remember?"
"What if Matt finishes his homework early with Craig and comes home early and catches you?"
"It's not like he won't see more on the beach next month."
"Good point."
"Come on in the kitchen and I'll make us some coffee"
As the smell of coffee started to fill the room Diana turned and sat next to her old friend.
"So what brings you to my door in ten below weather while our sons are at your place probably eating you out of house and home?"
"You and Dave were our best friends. I know you too well even after all these years. Suddenly, you and Matt have changed too much. What gives?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh come on. Lacey was right; you are positively glowing."
"Tanning salon and Jamaica; it does wonderful things to a sun bunny."
"Alright, I know when I am not getting anywhere with you. Anyways, I've been meaning to thank you for the study pushing Matt has been doing on Craig. His grades are improving drastically. I could never get him to crack a book and now he and Matt are getting together practically every other day to study. How did you do it?"
"Oh just the 'your whole future is ahead of you' speech."
"Bull shit. It didn't work on Craig; it wouldn't work on Matt."
"Somehow I just connected with him and the spark lit."
"Okay, whatever, again with the secrets. I'm just so happy to see you today alive again. I've missed the crazy Di from the old days. When David died so did you. What brought you back after all these years?"
"I didn't die; I just focused on being a mom to help me get over losing David."
"You became a whole new dead person. You remember what you used to be like. Don't forget, I was usually a part of one of the other couples in all our crazy sexcapades."
"Life and years seemed to get in the way. Look, don't complain, I'll be there Friday to show you I'm still alive."
"Mom, I'm home." Matt called from the hall.
"In here with Craig's mom, sweetie." Diana called out.
In tromped a snow covered teenager. "Hey mom, can we stay in Jamaica until all the snow's gone. Hey, Mrs. Lynn."
"Hey Matt."
"Tempting, Matt, tempting. Do you think we could find jobs and colleges there?"
"I'll fire up the Internet and get on that."
"Kidding, Matt, just kidding."
But the boy took off like a shot towards his room.
Diana caught the strange look on Susan's face. "What?"
"If Craig walked in and found me in just a small robe his eyes would hit the floor and he would lose the ability to speak, but he would hang around as long as possible to enjoy the show. And you've got a much better body than me. Matt wasn't even fazed. What gives Di?"
'You exaggerate my dear suspicious one. This isn't that short and I often wear it. Everything's covered. Again, he'll see more in Jamaica. Besides need I remind you yet again that you are still quite gorgeous yourself?"
"Pshaw. Hey, aren't there topless beaches?"
"He won't see that much!"
"You are keeping something from me. You are coming back to life. Don't shut me out again, please."
"Again, suspicious exaggerations."
Susan just stared at her friend over the lip of her coffee cup.
Soon the coffee was finished along with the twenty questions and an unsatisfied Susan left to feed her family. Diana waved as her friend walked away.
Matt walked in just as the phone rang.
"What's up with Mrs. Lynn, Mom?"
"Apparently I'm glowing."
"Huh?"
Diana picked up the phone, "Hello?"
"Di, it's Kim. It was so great to see you today."
"Yeah, just like old times." Diana rolled her eyes and watched as her son looked up and down at her robe raising an eyebrow. She cradled the phone on her shoulder, stuck her tongue out at Matt and unbelted the robe and pulled it off tossing it to the couch revealing her naked body to her beaming son.
"I'm so glad you'll join us Friday. But I want to run an idea past you."
"Shoot"
"Chip is driving us crazy to do something special for him like you're taking Matt to Jamaica. We just can't get time off from work. If we pay all his expenses could Chip join you guys?"
Diana watched as Matt left the room quickly.
