The Beach House (47 page)

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!”

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

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

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?