by Sally John
Andie thought about it. Jadon was working, saving money for college. Zach would graduate from high school in May. They both had fallen in love with San Diego when she took them to visit the previous Christmas. They planned to attend college together in California.
And she wanted to live there.
She said, “We thank Him for Mildred’s good long life. We thank Him for the Navy couple. We thank Him for my friend who would welcome me as a neighbor and tenant.”
Jo breathed a contented sigh. “Okay.”
“Okay.” She grinned. “And amen.”
Southern Oregon Coast
“On your mark! Get set!” Little Hannah Preston popped up from her crouching position and shot down the hard-packed sand as fast as her six-year-old legs would carry her.
Eli sprang up, shouting “Go!” as he raced after his sister.
Betsy yelled, “Not fair, you two! Come back!”
Abigail stood up, spun around, and marched the opposite direction. “I quit,” she announced huffily over her shoulder. “I’m walking with Dad.”
Molly laughed so hard her bent legs gave way and she flopped backward onto the sand.
“Mom!” Betsy wailed, still crouching in start position. “It’s not fair!”
Molly laughed harder. “No, it’s not, hon.” She wanted to add that life isn’t fair either, Betsy, you might as well get used to it. But maybe that was too much information for her ten-year-old.
They were racing on the beach through twilight, one mad dash after another. Finish lines became starting blocks at rock piles, runoff streams that cut through the sand, and smooth, gray-white logs washed ashore.
“Hey!” Scott called out.
She turned to see him wave the cell phone.
Abigail and Betsy shouted together, “It’s Aunt Jo!” Another race ensued.
Molly would have to wait in line for her turn to talk. Jo called so regularly on Saturday nights the kids expected her. Even Eli spoke to the woman they now called “Aunt.” The honorary title evolved naturally during her Oregon stay. She spent five months in a small rental house down the street, spoiling them rotten like any respectable aunt should. They missed her.
Molly smiled at Scott as he approached. The two girls now brought up the rear, excitedly sharing the phone as they filled Jo in on their new school year.
Scotty reached for her hand, pulled her up off the sand, and kissed her cheek. They continued walking slowly, blatantly eavesdropping on their daughters’ conversation, silently chuckling at stories of childhood woes and delights.
Molly thought of the new school year and how she wasn’t even subbing. No, Bets, life isn’t fair.
As if he sensed the path her mind wandered, Scotty squeezed her hand.
His simple act affected her like little else. Though life seemed wilder than ever for the Preston family, he was beside her in every which way, doing his best to prevent her from taking on the role of Superwoman. Some days she despaired over her lack of teaching career and devised elaborate plans to show how they all could successfully function if she were gone ten hours a day. Then Scotty would do something special for her. He would say, “Next year,” and she would ask God to pry her fingers from the control stick once again. Let be then.
The family gathered at the foot of a steep winding path that led up the hillside to the parking lot. When the kids had finished their chats with Aunt Jo, Molly took the phone.
“Hey, Jo.”
“Hi, Moll. How’s my Joseph?”
Molly smiled. The question was always Jo’s first to her. “He wants to talk.” She caught hold of Scott’s arm as they started the climb.
He stopped and grinned as she held the phone up to the five-month old baby boy in the carrier on his back. Joseph Michael Wentworth Preston squealed on cue.
He was awfully cute with chubby cheeks, black hair that stuck straight out every direction, Molly’s wide mouth, and Scott’s sleepy-slant eyes. With three names derived from his mother’s girlfriends, he had to be awfully cute.
“Joseph, say hi to Aunt Jo.”
Molly could hear Jo’s giggles and silly talk punctuated with her own version of squeals. Hard as she tried, Jo could not hide her favoritism toward Joseph. That she had delivered him only partially explained his number one status with her. More important was her unshakeable belief that Joseph was God’s direct answer to her prayers. Who could argue with that?
Molly put the phone back to her ear and resumed the uphill hike behind Scott. “How is life?”
“Oh.” Her voice went unnaturally high. “Full of surprises.”
Sensing disruptive news, Molly halted on the path and turned. Dusk nearly hid her view of the sentinels, those enormous boulders scattered just offshore. They always reminded her of God’s faithfulness. Even in the dark they were there, keeping guard. The incoming tide crashed against them.
“Jo? What’s up?”
“Well.” She sighed. “You know how I say now and then, only a little bit jokingly, that I hope God doesn’t send me to Africa?”
Molly stifled a laugh. “Yes.”
“He answered that prayer. I don’t feel convicted to go to Africa. Not the least bit.” She paused again. “It’s India.”
“Hmm.” She feigned nonchalance. “For how long?”
“Three weeks.”
“Ah. Nice. A short introductory visit. Then, who knows? Once you’ve been and you learn about opportunities for missionary doctors—”
“Be quiet.”
She could contain herself no longer. A belly laugh erupted and sang out above the rushing surf below. “Woo, Jo!” she shouted. “I am so proud of you!”
“Control yourself. All I did was agree to think about it.”
“Yeah, right. When do you leave?”
“Uh…October twentieth.”
Molly thrust an arm in the air and danced around in a little circle. “Yes! Yes! Amen!”
At last Jo joined in her laughter. “Oh, Moll. What an outrageous year this has been! I don’t even want to think about turning fifty!”
Grandmère Babette’s List
A Real Woman Has…
A nest egg for personal use
Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour
A youth she’s content to leave behind
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, a hammer, and a black lace bra
A black dress and a white silk blouse
One friend who always makes her laugh
And one who lets her cry
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family
Eight matching plates, goblets, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored
A Real Woman Knows…
How to fall in love
How to quit a job
How to confront a friend without ruining the friendship
When to try harder…and when to walk away
How to have a good time at a party she’d never choose to attend
That she can’t change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents
That her childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over
How to live alone…even if she doesn’t like it
Whom she can trust, whom she can’t, and why she shouldn’t take it personally
Where to go…be it to her best friend’s kitchen or a charming inn…when her soul needs soothing
What she can and can’t accomplish in a day, a month, a year
Discussion Questions
1. Reaching age forty can be one of life’s major turning points. Four old friends meet in San Diego to celebrate their fortieth year. Why does Jo initiate the reunion?
2. How does Andie approach the meeting? How does Molly? How does Char?
3. Why were Jo, Andie, and Molly disappointed in their birthdays?
4. What happens on Char’s birthday? How is she affected by events?
; 5. What is a turning point you’ve faced in your life? How did it affect you? Were you changed by it? What did you learn from it?
6. In what ways is the beach house like a character?
7. Is there a place—manmade or natural—that significantly affects you? How?
8. Where was each woman in her faith walk at the beginning of the story? Where are they by the end?
9. Did you identify with one of the women? In what ways?
10. How do the friends influence each other?
11. Have you lost touch with a significant friend who was a good influence on you? Can you imagine reuniting? What roadblocks stand in the way?
12. How do Julian and Zeke offer insight to the women? Do strangers ever affect your point of view? How so?
13. What corners do the women push themselves out from? How have you faced a fear and pushed yourself from a corner?
14. The verse “Let be then: learn that I am God” particularly affects Molly. In what ways do they all “let go” of an area of life?
15. What areas of life have you or would you like to “let go and learn that God is God?” How does one let go?
Other Books by Sally John
THE OTHER WAY HOME SERIES
A Journey by Chance
After All These Years
Just to See You Smile
The Winding Road Home
IN A HEARTBEAT SERIES
In a Heartbeat
Flash Point
Moment of Truth
THE BEACH HOUSE SERIES
The Beach House
About the Author
Sally John is a former teacher and the author of more than ten books, including the popular Other Way Home series and In a Heartbeat series. Illinois natives, Sally and her husband, Tim, live in Southern California. The Johns have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters.
Sally always appreciates hearing personally from you, her readers. Please feel free to contact her via mail at:
Sally John
c/o Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North
Eugene, OR 97402
or
via her website at:
www.sally-john.com
or
via e-mail at:
[email protected]
