But even as we browsed through the menus, I could tell there was something going on with these two. I felt this vibe, like Sonya and Cecily were still communicating, though they spoke no words. It was in the way they kept glancing at each other and Sonya kept shaking her head. I’d walked in on something.

After the waitress took our orders, I was ready to get to business. While I was glad to have the reprieve from being around Jeremy, there was an expiration time when it came to spending time with these women.

“So,” I started, “I wanted to give you both a run-down on what happened at the job fair and then talk about how we’re going to schedule the high school visits. I’d love to set that up today so we can take it to the other First Ladies, get their approval and then, get started.”

“Of course,” Sonya said. “But before we get into all of that,” she waved her hand as if what I had to say wasn’t important, “I wanted to ask....” She paused and with her arms resting on the table, she whispered, “How are you?”

The beat of my heart sped up. “I’m...fine...why?”

“Oh, well, the last time I saw you.” She glanced at Cecily.

“Ah,” I said as nonchalantly as I could, then I turned to Cecily the same way Sonya had done. “Jeremy and I were supposed to have dinner with Sonya and Charles,” I explained. “But our babysitter got sick.” Returning my glance to Sonya, I said, “But it was just a little cold. She’s fine, the kids are fine, all is well.”

Sonya and Cecily gave each other a long look and now I was sure...something was going on. But I wasn’t going to allow them to take me down their gossipy road. Since the Dress for Success program hadn’t gotten them on track, I tried another approach. “Oh, you know what I want to talk to you about,” I began, keeping my tone light. “Our anniversary celebration. I know you mentioned, Sonya, that you and the First Ladies Council wanted to make a presentation.”

“Yes.” She nodded. “We really want to if you can fit us on the program.”

“Definitely. This is so nice of you.”

“Well, we don’t want to do it just to be nice.” She glanced at Cecily and she nodded. “We want to make a presentation to New Kingdom Temple, but we also want to do a special tribute to you.”

“That’s right,” Cecily said, peering at me through the black diamond-studded cat-eye glasses that she wore today.

Sonya continued, “We want to recognize what few people do — that there are a lot of responsibilities that go along with being helpmeets for our husbands. And at times, that can be overwhelming.”

“At times?” Cecily piped in. “You mean most times.”

Now, they nodded together.