Lily White Lies(36)

As one girl after another appeared on the screen, Cory chided, “Did I tell you...? I ran into Holly a few months back, and I must report, if she isn’t a double digit dress size now—I’ll never look at another man!”

I mused, “She always had those pudgy cheeks, so it doesn’t surprise me.”

Cory warned with a mocking snicker, “Be careful what you say. Some of those girls will be at your party.”

Charlotte was in full-gossip-mode now. Her voice rose slightly, as she said, “Speaking of never looking at men, how about Candy Hostetler? Left that stud-muffin she was married to and ran off to San Francisco with her aerobics instructor!” Placing her hands on her hips, she added, “Her female aerobics instructor.”

“No way!” Cory covered her mouth in disbelief.

Nodding with authority, Charlotte replied, “I kid you not. Quit her job at the bank, got herself one of those GI Jane haircuts, left him a note that read, ‘Get in touch with your feminine side’ and just like that—the girl was gone.”

“Uh, and he was so fine... like... what was she thinking?”

Before Charlotte could answer Cory’s question, something on the television grabbed our attention.

I remembered it well. Each girl took their turn playing ‘I want’, telling the others what their hearts desired. We watched quietly as girl after girl mumbled something silly at the camera, some appearing quite embarrassed, others appearing pretentious but most seemed to be having fun. A petite girl by the name of Fran stood with her hands outstretched in front of her and said, “I want boobs out to here.”

Slapping her leg, Cory offered a hearty laugh. “She got them, too... along with a can out to there,” motioning to her backside.

We each giggled and returned our attention to the movie.

Next was Dawn. Her answer sounded contrived and rehearsed. “I want to find Mr. Right... buy a three-bedroom house in the suburbs... have two kids... one boy and one girl... a swimming pool, a minivan... and maybe a dog.”

I almost expected the commentary Cory offered. “I’ll bet she drives that minivan now and I’ll bet there’s a ‘my kid’s an honor roll student’ sticker on the back bumper.”

Charlotte said, “I always like the ones that said, ‘My kid beat the crap out of your honor roll student.”

We laughed and watched as the camera moved to the next girl. It was Cory, wearing a pair of pink baby doll pajamas and the smile that would later become her trademark.

“Let’s see... I want Donnas red pumps... Meg’s hair... Candy’s boyfriend...” Although Cory was the only girl in view, we could hear the laughter in the room with her, as she continued, “...really...” She paused. “I want my father to take me seriously... like he would have if I I’d been born a son.”

Cory’s words brought the laughter around her to an abrupt end. No one knew how to ease out of what had become an awkward moment, until Cory ended it herself.

“Lighten up girls! You know what they say; wish in one hand and shit in the other.” Slapping the bed with both hands, she added, “I know I’m not going to get what I want...” she paused, “...but neither are any of you!” With her words, the room filled with laughter again. Cory stood up from the bed and the next girl sat down.

It was Charlotte. The room grew quiet, expecting one of Charlotte’s serious and contemplated thoughts. “What do I want... hmm?” Mischief filled her eyes. “I want to be able to sneak out the window for my date and get back in when it’s over—without getting caught!” There was more laughter as she bounced off the bed, leaving an empty space for the next girl.

Hesitantly, Stacey Kennedy sat on the bed next. She wasn’t one of the famous Kennedy’s, although her indifferent attitude would make one think otherwise. In her usual, mordant tone, she said, “I want to find a better party.” With that, she was off the bed and out of the room with an uproar of boo’s and hisses following her.

Charlotte looked toward me and said, “I think you’re up next.”

I watched closely, interested to see how much I’d changed since then. I noticed my hair was the same, but I seemed unsure of myself. My steps cautious, I eyed everyone as if expecting to find stares of disapproval.

I spoke with little assurance in my voice, “I want something that starts with once-upon-a-time and ends with happily-ever-after.”

One of the girls in the background yelled, “She wants the seven dwarfs!” before the room filled with laughter, turning my cheeks crimson.

I sunk into the couch and buried my head in my hands while Charlotte and Cory laughed. I didn’t have to hear their chuckles to know how corny I sounded back then. Watching this in front of anyone else would have brought on a rash of embarrassment I would have found unbearable.