“The desperate group?” I’m still not sure how that slipped out, except to say that it was what I’d named it in my mind.
Eileen poked out her lips. “No… That’s not us. Though I do feel desperate sometimes, with the rise in inflation.”
“Okay,” I agreed emphatically, still in disbelief that I’d said what I thought I was only thinking.
“No, this is the group of women who started out as a Silent Book Club chapter, but we talked too much, so we just decided we’d come and talk about life and maybe recommend books to each other. Off the record, we call ourselves ‘the Chapter Chatters.’”
The name gave me a laugh, and Eileen led me into the group without protest. The meeting room was cozy, with a scattering of chairs arranged in a loose circle. The walls were lined with bookshelves overflowing with worn paperbacks, their spines faded from years of handling. A framed print of a field of bluebonnets hung by the window, adding a splash of color to the otherwise beige walls.
For a small Texas town, the group was more racially diverse than I’d expected. Two of the women appeared to be of Latina heritage. There were three White women, including Eileen, and there was one other Black woman besides me. All of us had at least a few gray hairs.
“Everyone, this is Joyce.”
The group said a collective “Hello,” and then, upon Eileen’s direction, each woman introduced herself. The only one whose name slipped into my long-term memory was Sonia, because that was my best friend’s name back in high school. This Sonia, however, was White and reminded me of Julia Roberts, with huge, floppy, artsy earrings. I admire people who wear statement jewelry; they’re braver than the rest of us.
Eileen put me on the spot. “Anything you want to tell us about yourself?”
“Well, ummm…I just moved here. This is my father’s hometown. Recently divorced. I’m here in this meeting because my grandson is here, playing with the LEGO club. And I need an electrician and a handyman because my oven broke.”
I’d sandwiched the d-word because it wasn’t the most important part about me. And I’d included it because I didn’t want to endure questions about my marital status or my husband—What does he do?People always want to know what your husband does so they can figure out where you are on the income ladder.
“That was random.” The lady with the ’80s bangs gave a friendly cackle. “But welcome. Half of us here are divorced, so we understand.”
“Twice.”
“I hold the record. Three times,” a brunette—who had overdone it with her lip injections, in my opinion—confessed.
“Oh, and my husband is a handyman,” one of the White women noted. “His name’s Wardell. I’ll give you his number.”
The Latina woman whose bun was held in place by chopsticks squinted at me, a silent warning that needed no explanation.
Eileen cleared her throat. “Maybe later, Christine.”
Everyone except Christine nodded. Somebody said, “Yes. Later.”
Someone else mumbled, “Muchlater.”
Christine tsked and said, “Wardell is much improved. We’ve been to counseling for four months.”
“He’s still too frisky. He’s gonna need more training before we unleash him on the new girl,” Sonia said.
Christine rolled her eyes. “I hate y’all.”
And then they all laughed, Christine included.
While I’d already reached my drama quota for the day, I appreciated the transparency in the group. Everybody knew there was a problem with Wardell, including his wife, and they were talking through it.
“I met Wardell this morning, already. He did assess the situation and gave a plan of action,” I said, hoping to redeem Christine. Her pitiful expression called to me, and I opened my big mouth.
“But did he flirt with you, Joyce?” Sonia asked.
“Right,” Christine piped up. “I want to know. Did he? And don’t be scared to tell the truth. That’s the one rule of Chapter Chatters: Don’t lie.”
What in the world had I walked into? My lips refused to budge.
“See how long it’s taking her to answer?” The woman in red elbowed Christine next to her.
Eileen intervened. “Joyce, you don’t have to answer.” She turned toward the group again. “Come on, y’all. It’s her first meeting.”
