**Chapter 3: The Girls' Day Out**

The sun was shining bright as Rose, Blanche, and Sophia set out on their highly anticipated shopping trip. The plan was to spend the day browsing through the local boutiques, trying on clothes, and enjoying each other's company. They had been looking forward to this day for weeks, and nothing was going to ruin it. As they strolled down the sidewalk, Rose couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She loved shopping, and she loved spending time with her friends even more. Blanche, on the other hand, was on a mission to find the perfect dress for an upcoming charity event. Sophia, ever the sarcastic one, was along for the ride, ready to offer her two cents on anything and everything. The three friends made their way to the first store on their list, a quaint little boutique that specialized in designer clothing. As they browsed through the racks, Rose squealed with delight over a particularly cute sweater, while Blanche zeroed in on a stunning evening gown. Sophia, meanwhile, was busy critiquing the store's décor, muttering under her breath about the tacky lighting and the ridiculous prices. "What's wrong, Sophia?" Rose asked, noticing her friend's scowl. "The prices are wrong, that's what's wrong," Sophia replied, wagging her cane. "I could make that dress myself for a fraction of the cost." Blanche chuckled. "Sophia, you're a genius, but I think we'll stick to buying the clothes, not making them." The three friends spent the next few hours trying on clothes, laughing, and joking around. They were having the time of their lives, completely carefree and oblivious to the tension brewing back at the house. As they took a break for lunch at a nearby café, Rose couldn't help but feel grateful for her friends. They were more than just friends - they were her family. And she knew that no matter what life threw their way, they would always be there for each other. Meanwhile, back at the house, Dorothy was facing off against Lucas, her ex-husband. The conversation was about to take a dark turn, and Dorothy was bracing herself for the worst. Little did she know, her friends were having the time of their lives, completely unaware of the drama unfolding just a few blocks away. As they finished their lunch and continued their shopping spree, the girls were chatting about their favorite TV shows when Blanche suddenly stopped and said, "Oh, I just remembered! I need to get some more fabric for my sewing project. Does anyone want to come with me to the fabric store?" Rose and Sophia exchanged a look, and then Rose said, "I'd love to! I need to get some more yarn for my knitting project." Sophia nodded. "And I need to get some more insults to hurl at the salespeople." The three friends laughed and continued on their way, enjoying the sunshine and each other's company. They were having a wonderful day, and nothing was going to ruin it. But little did they know, Dorothy was in for a rude awakening.