So what if I’d lost my house, my friends and my husband’s trust? Tonight, I was determined to have one night of fun before facing the music that was waiting for me at home.
The large dining room had the air of a sophisticated French restaurant. Twinkling lights hung from the brick accent wall, which was draped with real ivy. The long, beautiful table was set with glass vase centerpieces bursting with white hydrangeas, and tall cream-colored candles adorned the silver runner. The entire table was dotted with tea lights that flickered against dimly lit walls. It was breathtakingly romantic.
Even in my state, I could appreciate how stunning the room was. A butler, with a white tea towel on his arm, stood at attention by the door.
“May I help you ladies to your seats? Madame Keller and Madame Reardon, yes?”
Kim and I looked at each other before bursting into laughter.
“How did you know our names?” I asked incredulously.
The butler didn’t smile. “We have been briefed on all guests. Please follow me.”
We were led to seats at the head of the table. I picked up the pink and gray folded name card on my salad plate. Ashley Keller.
Kimmie was seated beside me. She whispered in my ear, “Ashley! You’re sitting next to Emily! Lucky! Wanna switch?” She tried to edge her way past me.
“Not on your life!” I yell-whispered back, sitting down quickly.
A woman appeared on my right. “Champagne, madame?”
“Yes, please!” I answered.
The woman gently took my flute and filled it.
When Kimmie’s glass was full we cheered and sipped. The bubbly liquid was like a calming balm against my anxieties.
I turned to Kimmie and put a hand on her shoulder.
“I love this. I love you.” A carefree laugh escaped out of my mouth and became a snort.
Kimmie’s eyes grew wide. She nudged me. “Well, you’d better pull it together because here comes Queen Bee.”
Everyone rose, as if a dignitary had just entered the room. I stood too quickly, causing my chair to fall backward. For some reason, I found it hilarious and dissolved into cheery laughter.
Janice, who was seated directly across from me, exchanged glances with Lauren.
“Whoops!” Emily bent down to help me right my chair. “Good evening, Ashley. How is your hand?”
I lifted up my palm. “As good as new. I can barely feel my hand. Or my face.” I giggled.
“I’m...glad to hear it,” she said, kindly ignoring the second half of my statement.
Emily looked stunning, as always, in a pale pink and lavender knee-length tea dress with white sling-backs. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant bun. She wore a pearl necklace and matching earrings. Her makeup was subtle but polished: a mauve lip, long dark lashes and charcoal shadow.
Emily took her place at the head of the table, to my right, and everyone took their seats.
“It’s so nice to see all of you tonight. I can’t tell you how excited I am about the Motherhood Better Bootcamp Finale tomorrow. Who’s ready to find out who’s going to be crowned as the Motherhood Better champion?”
Everyone clapped politely. I hooted. Janice coughed and gave me a disapproving look.
“Before we dig into this glorious meal that my chef, Lorenzo, put together, I just want to thank all of you for sharing so much of yourselves and being so willing to put yourselves out there. It means everything, not just to me, but to the thousands of women who will hear about your journeys tomorrow.”
The women nodded politely. A chiseled Latin man wearing a chef’s hat and black apron appeared behind Emily.
“Ah, Lorenzo! Everyone, this is the chef whose amazing recipes grace the pages of EmilyWalker.com. He’s been feeding my family since before my eldest could walk.”
Lorenzo took off his hat, revealing a luscious head of black ear-length curls. It was as if the room suddenly grew warmer. I saw a few ladies shift in their seats.
“It’s very nice to meet all of you. I hope you enjoy your meal. Bon appetit!” he said, nodding.
I raised my hand.
Emily looked at me, confused.
“Yes, Ashley?”
I heard myself speak. “Actually, I have a question for Lorenzo.”
Emily laughed nervously. “Okay.”
Lorenzo stared at me, curious.
I took a sip of my champagne and tried to look scholarly.
“Do you have any advice for mothers who hate cooking?”
The table burst out into laughter. Emily blinked, wide-eyed.
I glanced at Janice and noticed that her face was red with laughter.
Lorenzo chuckled and then placed his finger on his chin.
“Takeout?”
Everyone burst into rowdy guffaws again. Even Emily had her napkin against her mouth to hide her chuckles.
Emily put her hands up. “Okay, okay, everyone. Very funny, Ashley. Who’s ready to eat?”
Everyone clapped and hollered. I’m not sure if it was the promise of food, the champagne or my question, but the mood had relaxed significantly.
A flurry of waitstaff placed appetizers on everyone’s plates.
Mine arrived—a set of three mini puff pastries, all stuffed with unique fillings. There was creamy chive, some sort of smoked fish and one overflowing with a fragrant relish.
Once everyone had been served, Emily raised her fork. “Dive in!”
And we did! Course after course continued to arrive. I lost count after five. The main dish was half a crispy, perfectly roasted duck with roasted garlic potatoes and asparagus. I hadn’t eaten that well since my wedding.
“So, moms,” Emily said, dabbing her lips with a linen napkin. “Before we go live tomorrow, I want to hear what your bootcamp experiences have really been like. Feel free to be perfectly honest.”
A woman in her late twenties wearing a green cardigan and skirt set with black curly hair raised her hand. I recognized her as Lillian Pearson. She had three-year-old twin girls and had written the most thoughtful journal entry about starting a food drive in her city.
“Yes, Lillian!” Emily said, taking a most un-Emily-like swig from her wineglass. Was that her fourth glass?
Lillian stood. She smoothed the front of her sweater. “I just want to say that this has been the best experience of my life,” she began shyly. “Usually, it’s just me and the kids at home all day, not really talking to anyone. Since starting the Motherhood Better Bootcamp, I’ve felt like I have real friends and—” Her voice broke and she took a second to compose herself. “I feel like people understand me.”
I could feel tears welling in my eyes. Glancing at Kimmie, I noticed her wipe the corner of her eye with her napkin. Even Janice was misting up.
Lillian continued. “I want to thank you, Emily, for putting this together. I’ve admired you for a long time and it has been an honor.”
Emily stood up and, without saying a word, pushed out her chair, walked over to Lillian and gave her a long hug.
My heart swelled. This is what it’s all about, I thought. This is all I want and need in motherhood. People who get it.
Emily made her way back to her seat, wiping her eyes with her fingers the whole way. She took another sip. “Does anyone else want to share?”
My hand shot up.