Lisa smirked. “Remember, you said it, not me.”
We laughed, and I knew then everything was going to be okay.
I wiped my eyes. “When’s your surgery?”
“Next week.”
“Can I come?” I asked between sniffles.
Lisa laughed, then smiled. “I was hoping you would.”
I was quiet for several long seconds, then I finally asked the question I was afraid to ask. “What are your chances of beating this?”
“Fifty percent.”
My stomach dropped.
Lisa squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. I caught it in plenty of time. I’ve beaten it once and I’ll beat it again.”
“I hope so.” My voice cracked. “I don’t know what the hell I would do without you.”
“Live life to its fullest.” Lisa gave me a silly look. “Having cancer has given me a deep appreciation for life. I try to live every day like it’s my last. I want you to do the same thing.” Her expression suddenly became serious. “Give John a chance. I know you say the two of you aren’t right for each other, but I want you to pray on it, and ask God for guidance. You’re going to need his strength, like I need Mike’s.”
I started crying again because my sister sounded so at peace. She has accepted the fact that she might die. If it was me, I would have been in denial to the end.
Lisa hugged me close. “Quit being a big baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
I wiped my eyes and pulled away. “You better not.”
“I love you Nae-Nae.”
“I love you too, Peanut.”
We laughed, then held each other again. As I stared off into the sky, I couldn’t help but feel that this moment marked a turning point for us, both headed in directions that neither would have predicted years ago.
EPILOGUE
I lay in a lounge chair with my eyes closed under the blue sky, the sun kissing everything that wasn’t covered by a skimpy bikini. If Lisa were here, she would have scolded me for the provocative swimsuit.
Tears filled my eyes, I quickly brushed them away. She had left strict instructions not to mourn her death but to celebrate her life. But it wasn’t always easy. Lisa had died from a blood clot to the heart a few days after surgery, surrounded by all of her loved ones.
Her last wish was that she wanted the four of us to go back to Jamaica as soon as she had recovered. We had each agreed to fulfill her request.
Lisa was right. I wouldn’t have gotten through the last year if it hadn’t been for John. I fed on his strength, needed his comfort.
I glanced over at Nadine, whose eyes were hidden behind dark shades, and I knew she was pretending to be asleep. She was thinking about Lisa, the same way I was. To my right was Kayla, who was openly shedding tears and blowing snot bubbles.
I reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Bitch, you need to quit. Lisa wants us to be happy.”
“I am happy. Really I am.” Her voice cracked. “She’s with God now.”
“Yes, she is,” Nadine added.
Nadine and Jordan are still together. She still had a problem with sharing her personal life. I think it’s because her family would kick her out of their will if they knew she was rubbing pussies. Kayla is still hanging in there with Leroy. Darlene had a baby boy and Leroy is still at home with his family, still promising to leave them soon so he and Kayla could be together. And me, well, I stayed with John. He has been so supportive that there was no way I could tell him I wanted out of the relationship. Besides, before Lisa passed she asked me to give my marriage one more chance. And I agreed. Nothing between John and me has changed, but I’m hoping if I continue to try hard enough, anything is possible.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
IN THE COMPANY OF MY SISTAHS
ANGIE DANIELS
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The suggested questions are intended to enhance your group’s reading of this book.
Discussion Questions
1. Lisa felt the best way to tell her sister she had ovarian cancer was in the company of their sistahs. How do you feel about her decision? If Renee was your sister would you have handled the situation differently?
2. Despite all her faults was Renee Moore a good friend to Kayla? What about Nadine?
3. Do you believe Renee truly liked Solomon or was she once again just caught up in the moment?
4. Renee said she was “in love with the idea of being in love.” Do you agree with her personal analysis?
5. Even though Renee was not always considered a nice person, her friends were often envious of her; why do you think they felt that way?
6. Do you feel that the others were too accepting of Renee’s behavior? How would you have responded to Renee’s behavior?
7. Do you believe Kayla’s behavior was a result of her upbringing? Do you feel sorry for Kayla? What about Nadine?
8. Why do you think Clayton told Renee he was celibate but never bothered to tell Kayla? Do you feel he was manipulated into having sex with Renee?
9. Renee justified her reason for sleeping with Clayton was because Kayla no longer wanted him. If Clayton and Kayla had been sexually active do you think that Renee would still have slept with him?
10. Do you feel that Renee played with Everton’s emotions? Did Everton really want to kill Renee? Do you feel that Renee deserved what happened to her? Did you at all sympathize with Everton?
11. Lisa had kept her illness a secret for three years because she didn’t want to worry anyone. Do you feel that her decision was unfair?
12. After everything that occurred, do you see Renee changing her life in any way?
13. Of all of the characters, who do you feel had the most issues?
DAFINA BOOKS are published by
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Copyright © 2006 by Angie Daniels
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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ISBN: 978-0-7582-8163-0
In The Company of My Sistahs Page 33
