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ago, eighteen years this June,” Solardette said. “Our name is the Purple Calla Lily Investment Group, Purples for short.”

“We’ve always wanted to be in an investment club,” Gwen said. “Carolyn and I have talked about finding a club to join many times but didn’t take it any further.”

“Yeah, we have,” Carolyn said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Then you should do it. Find a few like-minded women and learn how to invest together,” I said

“We didn’t know anything about investing when we started. We did a lot of research and learning together,” Dimma said.

“I don’t know if we can get our friends to commit,” Gwen said quickly.

“She’s right,” Carolyn said, nodding her head.

“Then you two begin a group together,” Jean said.

“Why did you want to start an investment group, Vett?” Gwen asked.

“I give credit to my finance professor in my master’s program class. He did a lecture on investment groups. When he said, ‘Investing is something you all must do, and as I have lectured, you don’t need a whole lot of money to begin. Invest your money together.’ I was hooked. I got information from the National Association of Investment Clubs, then presented it to my friends. We are now fifteen ladies strong.”

“I take it you’ve made money, or you wouldn’t still be together,” Carolyn said.

“We have, but it takes work, and a lot of work goes into setting up an investment group,” I explained.

“But it is worth it,” Dimma said.

I took another bite of food, chewed, swallowed, and then said, “We all are happy to help you get started when you get ready to start a club.”

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. I have everyone’s contact information from the passenger telephone list Lemmonee gave us,” Gwen said eagerly.

Gwen and Carolyn continued to ask investment club questions through lunch. When we were finished eating, Jean asked, “Is everyone going shopping?”

The answer was a resounding yes from everyone. The restaurant was at one end of the shopping center outlet. We walked out of the restaurant together to the entrance to the stores. Each pair of people—Carolyn and Gwen, Solardette and Jean, Dimma and I—parted ways and went into different stores on the same side of the shopping center.

We could shop until 3:30 pm since our hotel check-in time was 4:00 pm, and the hotel was less than a quarter of a mile from the outlet.

It was outside one of the stores that Dimma and I saw Carolyn and Gwen sitting on a bench quarreling with one another.

“I wonder what that is all about,” I said.

“I don’t know,” Dimma replied.

We were two stores down from where they were sitting. They were facing in our direction. Carolyn put her hand on Gwen’s arm and said something, then Gwen brushed it away and shook her head rapidly several times. She began twisting her hands together and looking at Carolyn with a doe-eyed stare. From where we were standing, it looked like Gwen was shouting, “No, no.”

“Let’s ask if we can help,” I said. We both began walking toward them. Carolyn saw us, then whispered something to Gwen.

“Is anything wrong,” I asked upon approaching them.

“Oh, no. Gwen has had one of her anxiety attacks. It won’t last long. She has them from time to time.”

“Gwen, would you like some water? I have a bottle in my bag,” Dimma asked.

“No, no. I am fine now. Thank you, Dimma,” Gwen replied.

“Gwen, you look a little flustered. Are you sure we can’t help in some way?” I asked.

“I’m fine. Really I am. We were just about to go into the lingerie store. I do need a new full black slip,” Gwen said as she stood up.

“Alright then. Enjoy your shopping,” I said as Dimma and I turned to walk away.

“Thank you for your concern. We’ll see you on the bus,” Carolyn said.

This was the only time I saw Gwen down in the dumps. For the rest of the trip, she was bubbly, energetic, and high-spirited.

Dimma and I were already seated on the bus when Carolyn and Gwen walked on. Gwen stopped by my seat, then said, “I got a good deal on two full slips. You ladies should have come into the lingerie store with us. There were all kinds of bargains.”

“Now, I wish we had. I’m glad you found what you were looking for,” I said.

“I think we spent enough money. We both got a great deal on handbags,” Dimma said.

“Yes, we did. So good that Dimma bought two of the same handbags, a brown one and a beige one. They are beautiful and big, the kind we like. I’m thinking I should have bought the brown one, too,” I said.

“I told you to get it. What is it that you tell me? When you see it, get it. It may not be there when you go back for it,” Dimma said.

“Well, I can’t wait to see what we find at the next shopping excursion. See you at dinner,” Gwen sang out as she continued down the aisle to her seat.

“She’s in a good mood now, isn’t she?” Dimma said.

“Her demeanor is totally different from when she and Carolyn were quarreling,” I said.

“What causes anxiety attacks? Jean mentioned once that she had them.”

“I’m not exactly sure. I think stress, emotional trauma, a medical condition, uh, slew of things can bring on anxiety,” I said.

“I wonder what happened to Gwen to set her off,” Dimma said.

“A person can probably trigger an attack: you know, like when you are anxious about an exam, or a doctor’s appointment, or a house closing, those type of things.”

“Then I’ve had one,” Dimma joked. “Sometimes house closings make me want to tear out my hair.”

“Experiencing occasional anxiety must be a normal part of life or else we would all be in a looney tunes hospital. I think one has a problem when anxiety attacks become excessive, persistent, and interferes with your quality of life.”

“Yeah, I can see that. You know what?”

“What?”

“I wish I had purchased that red handbag as well. Simone would love