The Luncheon Party (Part One) by Suzanne Hudson
A short story inspired by the above photo. “So it’s just a little luncheon party…” Simone was saying and Claudette’s eyes were glazing over, in the way they always did when her friend regaled her with the long list of social events that she was going to or hosting. Claudette sipped her red wine and thought about the painting she was working on. Just hearing about Simone’s hectic social plans made her feel exhausted. That’s another reason I didn’t marry, she thought to herself. The endless parties and suppers and entertaining would have bored her rigid. A film producer’s wife, Simone had happily immersed herself into Parisian society and it was all her old school friend seemed to talk about these days. Claudette was a painter, a free spirit and a solitary animal. She liked nothing better than dining alone in a restaurant with a good book for a companion. ...