Mid-Life Crisis Diaries Read Online Free Page B

applauded.
    Marsha hesitated but soon clung to the pole behind Dr. Lee.
    Dr. Lee wrapped her leather black pants around the pole and circled around.
    Marsha tried to follow her act but tripped causing the audience to roar in laughter.
    “I’m not making a fool of myself. I can’t do this.”
    “Each time you say I can’t, you’re conditioning your mind to fail. Just imagine how flexible your body is. Play with your lips, bat your eyelashes and wiggle your hair.”
    Marsha sighed, wondering what she got herself into, but perhaps this would help her forget Blake.
    Dancing Queen played and Dr. Lee bent down and swayed her hair.
    Marsha took a deep breath and tried to do what Dr. Lee instructed. She closed her eyes, swayed her body and bent backwards, yet all she saw was Blake’s expression when he told her he had to find himself.
    Opening her eyes, Marsha pushed her thoughts aside when she heard the audience roar in delight.
    Dr. Lee winked at Marsha.
    Marsha continued to play her act but this time with confidence as she danced to the tune. Men hollered and threw wads of cash at them.
    Marsha and Dr. Lee laughed as they exited the club and crossed the street. Parked cars lined the sidewalk. The music continued to blast while people lined up to enter the club.
    “How did that feel?”
    Marsha caught her breath. “I don’t know about you, Dr. Lee, but ever since I met you again, my life has been crazy.”
    “At least I made you laugh.” Dr. Lee poked Marsha’s ribs. “Did you see all the men gawking us? Food for our ego. Look at you, you’re glowing and we have all this cash to enjoy another girl’s night out.”
    Marsha grinned. This isn’t how I pictured my life to be. I wish Blake would come back. But while he’s finding himself, I need to find a distraction from my chaotic world.

C H A P T E R  5

    I t had been four days since Blake created a scene which rocked Marsha’s world. She had no choice but to still report for work. The responsible person that she was, taught her to do the right thing.
    Yet, stepping inside the building reminded her of that fateful day. The receptionists stared at her then immediately looked away. She also received sorry stares from the bellboy as she headed up in the elevator.
    Tricia greeted Marsha with a sorry expression. “Good morning.”
    Marsha forced a smile and strode to Shirley’s office. All Marsha wanted to do was escape. Earlier that day, she had browsed brochures of Paris. If Blake can go to Nepal, I can fly somewhere that won’t remind me of him.
    A touch of purple with a couch and coffee table in front of the desk surrounded the office. Frames of Shirley’s family were neatly arranged on her desk.
    Shirley didn’t lift her face to look at Marsha. She typed on her computer as if nothing happened.
    “I’m not sure I can do this anymore.”
    Shirley stopped typing and faced her. “You can’t think that way.”
    Marsha’s eyes drifted outside the window to the view of the Golden Gate Bridge. “Paris seems like a good place to start over.”
    Shirley raised her eyebrows.
    Marsha played with her fingers.
    “You’re a strong woman, you’ll get over this.”
    “I’m tired of being labeled that way,” she said, remembering how her father had told her to take care of her sisters when her mother died. Being the eldest of the family left her no choice. She had to be strong for them. “What happens to a strong woman when she gets hurt? Isn’t she allowed to grieve? To take care of herself?”
    “I suppose, but I wouldn’t give up on my passion. You’re forgetting at how good of a therapist you are and how much you love what you do.”
    Marsha looked away. How is she supposed to counsel patients when her own marriage has gone south? Blake had promised to take her to Paris, but Marsha’s schedule remained steep. This time she needed to do something for herself, for her own sanity. Staying in San Francisco would remind her of Blake. She couldn’t deal