The Quilt by Rochelle Carlton

can rely on my work to support me that is just the way it has to be.”
    Sandy glanced at Joanne’s rigid face it had now completely shut down.
    “I think now would be a good time to have a change in subject .”
    Joanne had made a statement.   T here would be no invitation to continue the conversation about Stephen or their relationship. Sandy had failed to make her case.
     
    The tension soon faded and the sun shone brightly casting reflections across the surface of the river and into the deep shadows of the swimming hole.
    “Hey , Joanne, come on!” 
    Jo anne eyed the colourful assortment of clothing that Sandy had left strewn behind her.  The items stretched from her car which was parked in a small gravel area to the rocky edges of the water.
    “I have n’t brought anything to swim in.”
    Sandy roared with laughter.
    “We’ve been through this before, remember? You are such an old lady.  If anyone turns up we will see them before they see us, assuming they are even interested in seeing us!” 
    “ Make a choice Joanne, the conservative and old before her time, soon to be married lawyer or single Jo in her twenties with a tiny little bit of fun left in her!”
    “So its Jo again is it?!” 
    Sandy was the only one that had ever taken the liberty of abbreviating her name.  
    Joanne sighed and rolled her eyes as she remembered the last time Sandy’s nagging had led her out of her comfort zone and into the water naked and vulnerable.
    “You know how the last time ended.  Remember we had no clothes when we got out.”
    Sandy giggled and tugged at the woven matt of tiny blue love beads that hung limply against the moist skin of her neck.
    “Well , this is hardly a populated area is it?  It is highly unlikely there are any drunken teenage boys hiding in the tree’s waiting to sneak off with your rags.”
    Joanne laughed , recalling the skinny dipping incident several years ago. Sandy’s outrageous personality always made her feel young, daring and alive. 
    Jo anne slipped out of her clothes and self-consciously lowered herself into the cool depths of the mountain-fed pool.
    “You really don’t like Stephen do you?”
    Sandy she chose her words as carefully as she could.
    “ I didn’t think you wanted to continue conversation about Stephen.”
    Sandy went on before there was a chance for Joanne to reconsider.
    “ I don’t know Stephen.  But to be honest, he isn’t what I thought you would settle for.”
    “I don’t understand ?”
    “I always thought you would end up with someone successful and ambitious.  Not settle for the white picket fence and a life of running like a mouse on a wheel .”
    “ That’s a little harsh and is it really what you see for me when I am married?”
    “I’m not sure Jo anne.  The world Stephen lives in is different from the world you live in.  His work is not selling and from what I see he is happy to live off your wages if it means he doesn’t have to compromise to meet the market…”
    Sandy trailed off as she heard the crunch of gravel in the parking area above.
    Jo anne cursed and submerged herself under the water.  She made a feeble effort to extend an arm towards the pile of clothes she had left folded neatly at the water’s edge. 
    At the same time an elderly woman m ade an audible shriek and covered the eyes of her youngster, trying to guide him quickly back to their car. He was protesting loudly wriggling to free himself and struggling to look back.
    Joanne turned awkwardly.   Sandy was standing fully exposed, water dripping from the matt of blue beads.  They were the only thing that covered any of her voluptuous body.  Laughter followed the fast retreating vehicle.
    “It’s not going to be good for my professional image if I have an indecent exposure charge filed against me.”  
    “We had better get out of here .”
    “Oh , and I like those beads, but they don’t hide enough.” 
     
    The old fashioned fish and chips sat on grease