Arlene Lowell? Julie scratched her head. Why on earth has she chosen to call this night? Although the minister and his wife had only been in town for a month they had already heard the rumors about Arlene. She was always off somewhere with some man that certainly was not her husband, Dean Lowell. In fact, Julie had only met Arlene once for a few minutes when she had gone over to Craven to pick up Brad. They hardly seemed to be kindred spirits and she couldn't imagine why this flashy woman was calling her. She had the distinct impression that she was not in the same league as Arlene Lowell. On their meeting the wife of the dean had been cool and Julie had detected a bit of condescension in her voice when she was introduced as the chaplain's wife. But now she was being asked to have dinner with her. Odd, she thought. Extremely odd!

Well, Julie, thought defiantly, I'm miserable sitting around here feeling sorry for myself. Maybe a night with Arlene is just what I need to perk up my spirits. At least it will be something different for a change to get me out of my rut.

"Why, yes, Arlene. That would be very nice."

"Terrific, my dear. Can you pick me up? My car is in the garage."

"Sure, Arlene. Where do you want to have dinner?"

"Well, we'll have drinks here first and then I know a rather exclusive club where we could go. We won't have to make a reservation either. I hate waiting for restaurant service, don't you?"

"Uh… yes…" Julie agreed without knowing why. Then she said a little more positively. "I'd like to do something different. I'm sick of cooking and eating the same things."

"They have lots of different things to eat at this club," Arlene promised. "Why don't you pick me up in about an hour. You don't have to get all dressed up. It's quite casual, Julie."

"Fine, see you in about an hour. Bye."

Once she had cradled the receiver, Julie raced to the bathroom, stripped off her clothes and stepped beneath the warm spray of the shower.