'Kath considered what this might mean.And then, immediately upon Brenda leaving the room: 'Brenda hasn't been inour group long,' Carmel said. 'Brenda ...truggles against low self esteem,' Hazel added. 'Doesn't eat well.When I met her she smelt like she hadn't washed for a couple of days, and therewas dandruff in her hair.''But she's coming on very well,' Carmel said. 'She badly needed somethinglike this.''A lot of it is body image,' said Hazel. 'So annoying,' Kath said, 'when big women hate. "I think I probably know it even better than she does. I've seen the way men look at her ... married men, single men, old men, young men. But I don't think she ever saw it. Daddy saw it. And I know he didn't like it. That's so different. Because I like it when other women look at you and think you're sexy. It makes me feel good because I saw you first. Okay, maybe not first, but latest. It might make me jealous if I thought you were looking at other women ... my mother ... my sister ... just. "These two beautiful girls have reached their nineteenth birthdays! And for that I have something very special planned for them!"Many of the guests had attended Megan and Mallory's birthdays in the past and knew what Bill had in mind, and gave a teasing "ooh!" Let's sing these girls a Happy Birthday!" Bill said.With Bill leading, the crowd broke out into a melodious rendition of "Happy Birthday." Mallory smiled, pleased to be the center of attention. Megan squirmed in place knowing what awaited. "Chad was a bit surprised by her request. She usually made him keep botharms in his lap where they would be trapped under the chair tray. Hesaid nothing about it though because protesting or even questioning itwould do no good. Besides, since he was limited to only baby-talk, hehad no way to ask her why. As soon as his arm was down, she put thetray into place, locking his right arm under the tray where he couldn'tuse it."That should work," Sandy mused to herself.Chad watched as she began.