“I’m fine.” Clarice picked up her spoon and broke the sugar crust of the brÛlée as soon as it arrived.

“Clarice, we just want you to know that we are with you.” Judy lifted her water glass to toast her and the other women followed.

“I have to say, I always liked Barry,” Adrienne added when they lowered their glasses. “He’s so brilliant and can be a lot of fun.”

“Well it’s clearly entirely Samantha’s fault,” Judy said pointedly. “I mean if she came on to Albert, I’m sure he’d get distracted, too.”

“Albert is devoted to you.” Clarice appreciated Judy’s camaraderie.

“You never know,” Judy confided. “This is a strange world with no values. Honestly, some days the only thing that I think I can rely on is my love for my children. That’s my number-one priority.” She paused. “I know that sounds like I read it in some Dr. Brazelton book or something, but honestly I know I can go over the top and they always bring me back to earth.”

“Me, too.” Clarice smiled, feeling even more of a bond with Judy.

Pippa looked down at her watch. After years of working in a service industry, Pippa kept her public opinions to window treatments and swatches. But frankly, she was always happy when the ladies’ lunches, especially with clients who had fired her, were over.

“I have to go and he never brought us our cookies.” Pippa began getting up.

“Wait a minute. I’ll get them. I love telling waiters they fucked up.” Adrienne had another sip of spritzer.

“That’s all right, I can live without them.” Pippa got up.

“I’ll get the check.” Judy raised her hand.

“No, my treat. Really.” Clarice raised her hand.

“Clarice, I’m really sorry—” Adrienne began to apologize again, but Clarice cut her off.

“Judy, I’m going up to school to pick up Brooke after lunch. Can I give you a lift?”

“My daughter would shoot me if I picked her up.” Adrienne looked at Clarice. Clarice knew from Pippa Rose that Jessica Rodman was already giving blow jobs on the bus ride home from Riverdale Country Day School soccer matches.

“I’ve got to go.” Pippa stood up and air-kissed all three women.

“Guess Jessica’s extracurricular activities scared her away.” Adrienne laughed.

“Pippa’s just a little prissy. That’s why I fired her,” Judy chimed in.

“But you have to hand it to her, that daughter is supposed to be a great dancer,” Adrienne added.

“Oh she’s a beautiful dancer.” Clarice signed the check just as the plate of petits fours and cookies arrived.

“But you know what”—Judy picked at a cookie—“unless that daughter marries the president of a network or a major banker, her life is going to be shit. It’s all over for a dancer by forty. I’m sorry, but it’s just us girls.”