Stand Your Ground: A Novel
Page 29
“Meanwhile, in related news, Spencer’s widow sent out a formal thank-you to all of the employees of the Cheesesteak Castles. She thanked them for their support, assured them that the business will continue, and gave them all a bit of good news. We all found out at the beginning of the trial that Spencer’s wife, Meredith, was pregnant. Well, she told the employees that she’s pregnant with twin boys. So though she is still in mourning, the widow does have those new lives to look forward to.
“This is Clarissa Austin reporting. Back to you in the studio . . .”
Acknowledgments
Stand Your Ground is so different to me. And while I will always be thankful and grateful for the support of my family (especially my mom and my sisters), friends, and all the professional people who take care of me with every book that I write, this time I want to acknowledge the people who specifically helped me put these words onto the page for Stand Your Ground.
So major, major, major thank-yous to:
LaJill Hunt: You said, “Victoria, you need to write this book.” And because of those words, I did.
Lauren Spiegel: Before the first word was written, you really challenged me to make this a full story. I hadn’t considered showing both sides. I’m so glad you talked this through with me.
Sally Kim: I was shocked when I first heard your suggestion of this title! So obvious, so perfect!
Nakea Murray: Whew! Without the Philly hookups, this story wouldn’t have been right! Thanks for reminding me that in Philly, cheesesteaks are way more important than hamburgers!
Manny Brown: Without apology, you looked me straight in my eyes and told me what the ending had to be. I was really scared to write it. But because of you, I wrote the right ending, not the “girlie” one.
Deon Browning of the Browning Legal Group: I will always be so grateful for the time that you spent with me discussing the legal ramifications and the legal proceedings. Thank you for not getting too technical—just helping me enough to tell the legal part of this story well. I don’t think you will ever know how important your conversation and contributions were.
ReShonda Tate Billingsley: Only a dear friend can say “Take that crap out!” And only a dear friend can receive those words. I needed to hear that when I wrote one of those angry scenes. You helped me to step down from my Angry Black Woman pedestal and tell a truer story. Thank you for caring enough to tell me the truth.
Liza Dawson: You were the first person to read this from beginning to end. And your words of how much you enjoyed this story allowed me to (after months and months and months) finally exhale.
Miya Kumangai: Your patience is amazing. Thank you for going through this book with me word for word so that we could get it right!
Cheryl Y. Powell, Rhonda McKnight, King Brooks, Tiffany Tyler, Princess F. L. Gooden, Michelle Lindo-Rice, and Candy Jackson: You were the first to read Stand Your Ground when the galleys became available. I have never been so afraid to let people read a book I’ve written. (I know, duh—I write so people can read, right?) But I just didn’t know . . . and you all helped me TO KNOW! Thank you for your enthusiasm for this story. It means so much to me.
Yolanda Rodgers Howsie: My Soror who said, “This book is important. We need to get the buzz going now!” Thank you for all of the great ideas—including those videos!
My Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta: I told you the premise of the story, and you said, “We’re ready! Let’s roll!” Your support always brings tears to my eyes. Truly! Because of God and Delta Sigma Theta, I’m able to continue my pursuit of my passion. Thank you for believing in me—always!
And finally, the most important thank-you goes to the readers. All of you who picked up this book. Whether it was because you’ve read my work before, or you just wanted to read this title, I thank you for trusting me enough to spend your money on this gift that God has given to me.
Now, I have to get started on my next book. After writing Stand Your Ground, though, I think my writing will never be the same . . .
TOUCHSTONE READING GROUP GUIDE
* * *
Stand Your Ground
For Discussion
1. Tyrone’s mother responds to Janice’s hesitation about allying with the Brown Guardians with, “Well, sometimes violence is what you need. Sometimes violence is the only language that white folks understand.” Discuss Janice’s feelings about the vigilante group versus Tyrone’s opinion. What are the reasons for their respective views? Who would you side with?
2. In the aftermath of Marquis’s death, Tyrone begins spending nights with his brother, Raj, away from Janice. Discuss how their physical separation mirrors their growing emotional distance.
3. When Janice sees Wyatt Spencer’s brother, Wally, on television defending Wyatt’s actions in the name of Stand Your Ground, she dons mourning clothes and heads to the courthouse, saying she “[wants] America to see [her] in [her] black.” Why is this a major turning point for Janice? How does it affect Janice and Tyrone’s relationship?
4. Discuss Meredith Spencer’s internal conflict, which pits her loyalty to her husband against the truth she witnessed that night and the deep knowledge she has about her husband’s character. How do her feelings evolve and shift throughout the trial, especially when she meets Janice Johnson?
5. Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, Meredith and Janice are both women of faith. How does their relationship with God differ? Consider Janice’s affair with her pastor and Meredith telling Janice that she is in her prayers.
6. Raj discovers Janice with Caleb after the case is announced to be a mistrial. Why does he decide not to tell Tyrone about her perceived infidelity? How has Raj changed in Janice’s eyes?
7. In chapter 32, Janice says, “When it came to humans, the ransom for sins was never fully paid.” What does she mean by this? Is she referencing Wyatt Spencer, speaking of her own circumstances, or both?
8. Janice undergoes another transformation as she lets her voice be heard in front of the congregation in chapter 35. Why does she begin by saying that the shooting was not God’s will? The chapter concludes with Janice observing that, “Where I’d come from and where I was now with Tyrone standing by my side—this was God’s will.” What is “this”? What is the differentiation she is trying to make?
9. Go around the room and share your reactions to the last chapter. Did you find yourself sympathizing with Wyatt as you became privy to his perspective? How did you feel about his fate?
10. Stand Your Ground is extremely relevant to the state of our country at this time. How do you feel about the way Marquis’s trial unfolded compared to the way real-life Stand Your Ground trials have been portrayed in American media?
11. How do you think Marquis Johnson will live on, not only in his hometown of Philadelphia, but in the hearts of his family and that of Meredith Spencer?
12. Victoria Christopher Murray weaves together the perspectives of Janice Johnson, Meredith Spencer, and Wyatt Spencer. If you could hear the internal narrative of another central character in Stand Your Ground, who would you choose and why?
Enhance Your Book Club
1. Janice mentions that Twitter is her main source of news in the aftermath of Marquis’s shooting. Search for mentions of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice on Twitter. How are reactions to their stories rippling in our collective consciousness?
2. Take some time at the beginning or at the end of your book club meeting to check in with your fellow readers. Has anyone in your group ever feared for their child the way that Janice and Tyrone did? What emotions did you experience after reading the traumatic events described in the book?
3. Visit Change.org and sign the petition “2 Million Want Justice for Trayvon,” or donate to the Trayvon Martin Foundation at trayvonmartinfoundation.org. Discuss how your voice can effect change in our world.
More Books by Victoria Christopher Murray
Three Los Angeles women who’ve helped each other overcome heartbreak are
reunited eight years later when their troublesome exes come back into the picture in this follow up to Victoria Christopher Murray’s bestselling novel The Ex Files.
Forever an Ex
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There are four ways a woman can handle heartbreak. She can fall apart, seek revenge, turn cold, or move on. The Ex Files is the story of these four women.
The Ex Files
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Secrets between best friends threaten to blow up friendships and a marriage and change lives forever.
Never Say Never
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Church first ladies Jasmine Cox, Larson Bush, and Rachel Jackson Adams are back and battling it out again—this time on reality TV.
Fortune & Fame
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ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY!
© ROCHELLE SCOTT
VICTORIA CHRISTOPHER MURRAY is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Ex Files; Lady Jasmine; and The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta. Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female), Murray is also a three-time NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Fiction. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
VICTORIACHRISTOPHERMURRAY.COM
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ALSO BY VICTORIA CHRISTOPHER MURRAY
Forever an Ex
Fortune & Fame (with ReShonda Tate Billingsley)
Never Say Never
Friends & Foes (with ReShonda Tate Billingsley)
Destiny’s Divas
Sinners & Saints (with ReShonda Tate Billingsley)
The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil
Sins of the Mother
Lady Jasmine
Too Little, Too Late
Ex Files
A Sin and a Shame
Grown Folks Business
Truth Be Told
Blessed Assurance (contributor)
Joy
Temptation
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 by Victoria Christopher Murray
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Touchstone Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Touchstone trade paperback edition June 2015
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Interior design by Akasha Archer
Cover photograph © Terry Vine/Blend Images/Getty Images
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Murray, Victoria Christopher.
Stand your ground / by Victoria Christopher Murray.—First Touchstone trade paperback edition.
pages ; cm
1. Trials (Murder)—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3563.U795S73 2015
813'.54—dc23
2015003165
ISBN 978-1-4767-9299-6
ISBN 978-1-4767-9300-9 (ebook)
Contents
Why I Wrote Stand Your Ground
Part One: Janice Johnson
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Part Two: Meredith Spencer
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Part Three: Janice Johnson—Meredith Spencer
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Part Four: Wyatt Spencer
Chapter 37
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Reading Group Guide
About Victoria Christopher Murray