The Weekend

The mobile phone blinked to life in Susie’s brown leather tote. Ping, ping ping, one text message after another sprang to the surface so quickly she couldn’t keep up with the conversation. She could only read snippets as her free hand loaded the grocery items on the fast moving conveyor belt.
‘Arty Farty Weekend…save the date…we need to get together…it’s been months since I’ve seen you all.’
The words appeared at a frantic pace as the people in the group message quickly descended on the text trail.
‘Yes sure I’ll B there, LOL don’t need to ask me 2wice.’
‘What’s the occasion, are you preggers again?’
‘What should I bring, how about I’ll make a cake? (smiley face emoji)’
‘I’ll bring the booze.’
‘I’ll have to check my diary, I may have a shoot on.’

Suzie had met her close group of friends the first day of University when she sneaked late into the lecture hall. Whispering apologies, she managed to squeeze past the seated crowd on the far side of the theatre and plonked herself next to a woman with the craziest curly hair she’d ever seen in her life. Susie had turned to give her thanks only to be confronted with five sets of eyes giving her the ‘be quiet’ stare down.
‘Sorry,’ she mouthed sarcastically. ‘Forgive me for breathing!’ she thought.
‘Don’t worry, you haven’t missed much, although I get the feeling this lecturer is going to be a hard arse, he made us all stand up and introduce ourselves. I’m Lana by the way.’
‘Susie.’ she replied. ‘Do you know the rest of the Brady bunch along here?’
‘No. like you, we are all new,’ she winked.
Susie remembered that afterward, the small group had headed to the Uni bar. That was over twenty years ago and they have remained friends ever since. Revered by all and envied by others the seven friends formed a tight friendship and as their bond grew stronger well past their twenties, steaming ahead into their forties, so did each of their careers. The eclectic group consisted of an up-and-coming contemporary artist, an international interior designer, a fashion designer, a shopaholic housewife, an 80s dance instructor, a fruit shop owner and a budding novelist.
Suzie pushed the well stocked supermarket trolley to the boot of her Mercedes and typed on her phone.
‘As long as I don’t have to share a bed with Guy, I’m in! Ha Ha.’

Three weeks later, the friends arrived at the luxurious beachside manor which Lana and her husband had recently built. Fritz, the miniature schnauzer barked incesively, signaling the multiple guest’s arrivals as Lana slid open the black barn door, arms outstretched awaiting the various gourmet shopping bags, crates full of fruit and a case of Vintage 1995 Dom Perignon.
‘Drinks are on me ladies, compliments of my latest lover!’ Guy screamed in delight.
‘Right everyone let’s set up in the studio, I’ve left Dante back in Sydney, so it’s just us!’ Lana said.
‘No kids right?’ Guy interjected. ‘Sorry, love, you know I love you all to bits and I kind of like all your kids, but paleese, I don’t think I can deal with any junior judgement this weekend!’
‘Heaven help us!’ Georgie laughed as she opened the boot of her black Range Rover. She pulled out the patterns of her latest drawings, eager for her confidants opinion on her latest collection.
‘Just deevine!’ Annalese exclaimed. ‘I can’t wait to try them on, I bet it’s going to be major!’ Annalese was dressed in her usual glam attire, a pleather gold jumpsuit with silver Balenciaga wedges. Her light brown hair, parted ceremoniously in the middle and flicked to a razor sharp edge, circa Madonna 2006. She eyed the illustrations intently.
‘Tess! How many people are you expecting to feed?’ Antonella asked. She motioned with her paintbrushes to the masses of imaginary people around her. Apart from the crates of mixed fruit, Tess had bought two boxes of avocados, a container of vine ripened tomatoes, a string of garlic and two hessian bags full of artichokes.
‘Well, you know, I always bring extra.’ Tess said in her sing-song voice. ‘I wasn’t sure how many of us were coming, I thought the boys were included? Anyway I made a few cakes as well!’ Tess presented Lana with the three chocolate tortes, two tiramisu’s and a creamy raspberry cheesecake.
‘It’s enough to feed an army Tess!” Guy said as he walked towards the awaiting drinks cart. ‘At least you had enough common sense to bring the essentials,’ pointing to the amber coloured Gin bottle. ‘Now, who wants to start with an all time favourite?’
Suddenly a figure dressed in black jumped from behind.
‘Bring it on sisters! Whoo hoo.’ Susie hooted, jumping around giving each of her friends a tight bear hug. Fritz barked at the silent intruder. She was the last to arrive which gave her the advantage to drop her bag and creep up the driveway behind the small group.
‘OMG, you scared the shit out of me!’ Guy cried. ‘And what the ef? How skinny are you?’ The group stared at Susie in disbelief.
‘Jesus Sooze, been to Jenny Craig lately?’ Antonella asked.
‘Hmm what?’ Susie tried to change the subject. Throwing her arm around her host.
‘You look fabulous, don’t worry about them, come on.’ Lana chimed, let’s have a drink and get started. I was going to make Pasta Vongole for dinner, but now I might as well make Pasta Arrabiata, with all those tomatoes, Tess!
‘Good, I’m parched.’ said Annalese.
Georgie and Susie grabbed the produce and walked upstairs towards the kitchen bench which overlooked the amazing view of the sea. There was a slight breeze and a salty taste to the air. A ribbon of golden light streamed through the windows. The Jacarandas were in full bloom and had sprayed their lilac flowers over the verandah.
‘Psst, you okay?’ Georgie asked. ‘Anything up?’
‘Yes, no nothing’s up, all good.’ Susie stammered, looking away.
‘Love the new tat.’ Georgie continued, pointing to the bright blue watermark on Susie’s left arm. ‘Well, yeah, you know, I’ve wanted one for a while now.’
‘What does it say?’ Georgie squinted trying to read the scripted text.
‘It says “It was good while it lasted”.’ Susie replied as she carefully stacked the avocados in the wooden bowl.

Throughout the day, the group engaged in all things creative. Painting, drawing, sketching. Georgie’s favoured sewing machine made an entrance as did the bucket load of charcoal pencils Antonella carefully assembled on the linen covered table. In her mind, she had started her next piece, long black lines, that outline the female figure frequent in her dreams. Using a mirror as a prop, Antonella encouraged the group to illustrate themselves, handing them each a black pencil. Susie curled up on the outdoor rattan lounge. Fritz jumped up, nestling his furry head by her feet. She opened the laptop and began typing. The novel she promised her publisher had lapsed three months and her deadline was looming. She had grappled with an initial idea, but it was going no-where. She couldn’t see the storys’ ending and was hoping that this creative weekend would finalise some of those loose-ends.

As the shadows fell across the completed paintings that lined the spacious studio, Lana called out to the group that dinner was ready. Lana had made an extra effort to decorate the dinner table, using the eucalypt and honeysuckle foliage she had picked on her morning walk with Fritz. Eager to please her guests, she looked forward to spending quality time with her oldest and dearest, painstakingly creating a menu that catered to all their tastes. As the group sat around the rectangular table, bowls of chilli linguine followed the tray of plump prawns and crusty bread. Bright green avocados marinated in olive oil, bowls of Sicilian olives and a smoked lamb ragout with creamy mash, complemented the chocolate torte drenched in hazelnut liqueur.
‘Im seriously going to burst’ Guy said, uncorking the fourth bottle of champagne. He topped up each of their glasses. ‘Okay everyone, time for a game!’
‘May I remind you, everytime you start a game I get drunk!’ Tess said. ‘Remember last time? That night at Johns party? It wasnt my fault I’m crap at Sex Trivial Pursuit. And I do believe you were cheating! How would I know the 108th pose of the Kama Sutra?’
‘Yeah Guy! Your games either end up with us half naked or stoned, or completely hung over the next day.’ Annalese lay slumped on the edge of the table. ‘Let’s jump in the jacuzzi instead!’
‘Hey that’s a major idea! Bring the champers, come on ladies, get a move on, cosies on!’ Guy was the first down the concrete staircase, undressing to his black Givenchy boardies. ‘Oh my God, here we go again.’ Georgie laughed, collecting the glass flutes on a nearby tray.

It wasn’t long before the group immersed themselves in the warm bubbly water. Fluttery lights of the neighborhood sparkled around the back terrace. Specs as tiny as fairies littered the garden beds which gave off a magical glow. Tess had noticed that the neighbours windows were slightly ajar. A set of peering eyes revealed each time the plantation shutters opened and closed.
‘Hey, Lana, do you know if your neighbors are home this weekend?’ Tess asked, crossing her arms across her wet chest. ‘There is seriously, a creepy feel coming from over there.’
‘They might be, although I haven’t seen their car today, and with their five kids, I would have heard them.’ she replied. Tess shuddered at the thought of being watched. ‘You’ve got to tell Dante to plant those Bamboo trees closer to the fence line, or maybe some kind of green hedge, seriously how can you cope that they can see into your terrace?’
‘Don’t worry about them,’ Lana laughed ‘The house is dark, I don’t think they are in at all and I think you are a bit smashed!’
‘Still, it’s freaking me out.’ Tess moved to the opposite side of the jacuzzi so that her back faced the neighbours view. Lana cranked up the Spotify playlist and the music echoed into the valley below, her body swaying to the hypnotic tempo. A playful fight erupted between Annalese and Guy as to who was to drink the last remaining champagne bottle.
‘Come on you two, let’s take some selfies!’ Antonella said as she leaned over to grab her iphone. ‘Look I bought this cover in Thailand, you can take photos underwater!’ Antonella proudly showed off the blue plastic phone case before she plunged it under the water. Guy, never one to turn away from a photo opportunity, pushed her aside as he positioned himself in front of the camera.
‘Ok, that’s my queue.’ Susie said, as she and Georgie grabbed their turkish towels and stepped out of the crowded tub. ‘That water was getting way too hot, I thought I was going to pass out!’ The pair quickly dried their bodies and slipped into the waiting fluffy bath robes.
‘Come on Susie, you be the judge.’ Guy posed with Annalese, each gyrating along with the music. ‘Who’s got the better porn star look?’
‘Oh no, don’t pull me into that one, I know what happens each time a camera comes out, it leads to your crazy videos which then gets leaked on social media, I’m not associating myself with that again. Anyhow, I have a better way to relax!’ She threw herself into the lounge and grabbed the black leather case from her nearby bag.
‘Sunnies now? Really Susie, you may have a best seller up your sleeve, but you’re not that fabulous you know!’
‘Ha, ha, wait and see peeps!’ Susie clicked open the small case to reveal a wad of green dried herbs.
‘Well, well, what have we here madam?’ Antonella was first to squeeze in between an annoyed Fritz and the edge of the lounge.
‘Ooh exciting.’ Tess cooed. ‘I’m in, although Susie, that’s a bit much to carry around in your purse, don’t you think?’
‘Well, if anyone pulls me over, it’s for medicinal purposes.’ Susie replied.
‘What do you mean medicinal Sooze?’ Lana had brought down a fruit platter, popping a ripe strawberry in her mouth, her face contorted with alarm.
‘Yeah, what do you mean medicinal?’ Annalese slurred.
‘Jesus are you sick or something?’ Guy screamed out. Still juggling the empty champagne bottle.
‘Well done, ding-a-ling!’ Annalese pushed Guy’s head under the frothy water. ‘Such tact my friend!’
‘I do have news, come everyone, sit with me, I’ll fill you in on what’s been happening.’ Obeying her command, the group sat silently, while the music changed from a cool beat, into a slow trance. She took a deep breath and began her story.
The news of her diagnosis was slowly digested by the group and unable to contain their silence, barked question after question. Susie knew this would happen and was prepared for the barrage of comments.
‘Why didn’t you tell us sooner?’
‘What was the diagnosis’
‘How did Pete take it?’
‘Jesus, how much weight have you lost?’
‘The treatment, it will make you better, right?’ Tess concluded.
‘No actually it wont.’ Susie finally revealed. It’s not working and I’ve decided to stop, it’s literally killing me!’
‘That’s not funny’ cried Georgie.
‘Well it is, and I don’t want to finish off like this. We can talk about it more tomorrow, but I’m relying on you all, for the best last-weekend ever! She struck a match allowing the flame to ignite the slim cigarette between her teeth, inhaling the scented smoke deep into her lungs.

As the night wore on, the friends fell deeper and deeper into an intoxicated bliss. By the time the last joint was smoked and Fritz was dreaming of a delicious bone, the jacuzzi’s timer came to a halt. Seven bodies lay entangled around the backyard, the sound of their laughter travelled well into the yards of the small beachside community and down to the beach below. The group were laughing so hard, they didn’t hear the chime of the doorbell or see the flashing red and blue siren parked on the bottom driveway.
‘Oh, shit! It’s the cops!’ Guy tried to whisper, slurring his words in Lana’s ear. ‘It’s your house, you go answer!’ And he pushed her to the side gate and ran, squatting behind the wicker lounge pretending to hide under the knitted throw rug. Fritz barked at the flashing lights, annoyed at being woken from his slumber, jumping up and down on the lounge. While Lana tried to wedge open the metal gate, Susie and the others ran to the far side of the house, tripping on the tangled hose, giggling like a pack of schoolgirls. Anotonella, who was last around the corner skidded and ploud face first into the lilly hedge, which sent the foursome into more fits of laughter.
‘Ouch!’ she whimpered, her friends susshing her as she lay still.
‘Yes officer, can I help you?’ Lana said, opening the metal gate, allowing the uniformed official to step inside.
‘Shush, Fritz, shut up! Sorry about that officer. So what brings you here? Everything ok? I hope we are not too loud?’ Lana stammered.
‘There’s been a report that there are drugs on the premises,’ replied the police officer. He looked around. There was an array of wet towels and various items of clothing strewn across the railings, empty champagne bottles littered the fire pit and a dozen dirty ashtrays sat ceremoniously alongside the windowsill. In the low light, he could make out the figures of four people huddled against the brick wall.
‘No officer, sorry but you are mistaken, we’re just having a little gatho, no drugs for us old ladies here!’ Lana stood obstructing the view of Guy who had flung off the woolen blanket.
‘OMG, that’s so hot under there! Susie!’ he yelled, ‘let’s roll another joint,’ laughing while trying to crawl secretly from behind the lounge.
‘So madam,’ the officer turned to Lana, ‘what’s he talking about?’ Pointing at Guy.
‘Oh nothing officer, he’s just drunk I’m afraid, no need to listen to his babbling.’
‘Oh no I’m not!’ Guy laughed ‘But I’m about to roll another one!’
‘Shut up Guy!’ the group behind the brick wall cried out in unison.
‘You’ll have to come with me Sir.’ The officer tried to grab hold of Guy’s arm, but the olive oil Annalese had massaged into his body had made his skin slippery like a river eel.
‘You’ll have to catch me first!’ Guy ran across the grassy knoll, past the jacuzzi, which had overflown with the liquid soap Tess accidently dropped while posing for a picture. The surrounding deck was so wet that the officer, chasing Guy around the water’s edge, slipped and fell with a loud splash. Water sprayed up the side of the house, wetting everyone in its path, including a very excited Fritz.