They all laughed.
“Hey, Nancy Drew was better than some of the religious propaganda they forced on us.” Marcus shrugged. “I learned to make the best of things.”
“So, it was a religious commune?” Riva asked.
“Were you in a cult?” Kitty’s eyes grew wide.
“Not exactly,” Marcus told her. “They started out as a traditionalcommune where everyone had jobs to keep it going. But then a new leader took over, and it got overly fundamentalist. At least for me.”
“For me too,” Windy agreed. “I was twelve when Marcus escaped. I couldn’t wait to get out.”
“Did they try to brainwash you?” Laurel asked.
“Not exactly. But the leaders used the Bible to beat us.” Marcus’s tone was light, but his expression was serious.
“They hit you with a Bible?” Kitty asked.
“Not literally.” Marcus chuckled before growing somber. “They had a special stick for that.” He looked at Windy. “Remember the rod?”
“Yeah, spare the rod, spoil the child.”
“That’s child abuse,” Kitty said.
“Probably.” Marcus sighed. “But we don’t really need to go there now. Although, it might help some to understand why I used books, even Nancy Drew, to escape.”
“Speaking of books, I love the idea of a book group,” Windy said. “Admittedly I became a reader later in life than my brother, but I do love to read.”
“I used to like reading,” Fiona said. “I probably don’t do as much as I should anymore, but a book group might help me get back to it.”
“When will we start it?” Windy asked. “And what will our first book be?”
“I, uh, I’m not sure.” Riva bit her lip. “I thought maybe we should wait until fall.”
“Why wait?” Marcus asked. “Summer is a good time to read. Nothing like a good book in a cool spot on a hot day.” He turned to Riva with a smirk. “I’m just feeling left out that you want to ban men.”
“I think we should take a vote,” Laurel declared. “Maybe three votes. First, for whether or not to ban men.” She held up one finger. “And a second vote for when we should start, and a third vote to choose a book. What say ye?”
They all chimed in that a vote was a good idea, and Laurel began lobbying to include men. “A male perspective would make it more interesting,” she said.
“I have a male bandmate who likes to read,” Fiona told them. “I’m sure he’d like to come to our group.”
“I think having guys would make it more fun,” Kitty added.
“Let’s take a vote,” Laurel said.
“I’ll assume the vote is for members of the house only,” Marcus said.
“That seems fair,” Riva said. But when they voted, the majority was clearly for having men. Not wanting to be the only objector, Riva raised her hand.
“It’s unanimous,” Laurel told Marcus.
Fiona winked. “You’re in like Flynn.”
“Does that mean I get to vote and lobby now?” Marcus asked Riva.
“Of course.” She smiled stiffly. “And I know from experience that when you say you’re going to wait to start something, it often doesn’t get started at all. I think we should go for it, ladies. Even if all we do is the reading and don’t actually meet until later this summer.”
Laurel called for another vote and again it was unanimous.
