Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn

Author:Robin Jones Gunn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2019-05-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

The suggestions for a name for our group were all over the place. We couldn’t say we were a book club because, as we had proved tonight, those dots hadn’t connected for any of us. Sierra tossed out “The Hive,” based on Jennalyn’s comment about being our own hive. That prompted a bunch of silly and cute bee-themed names.

But, as Jennalyn said, none of those names “stung” us just right.

“We should figure out what we are to each other.” Christy had kept silent during the “bee” buzzing ideas but now spoke with confidence. “We are women who are figuring out how to be what each other needs. We’re becoming the sister we don’t have or the mother we lost or the friend we want to be.”

“That’s it,” Sierra agreed. “That was beautifully said.”

“I love that,” Jennalyn chimed in. “It’s true. We’re sort of nurturing each other.”

“That’s what I felt the first time I came,” Sierra said. “Usually it’s hard to break in when a few women are already friends, you know? That certainly was true the whole time I was in Brazil. I mean, I had some friends, but I always was trying to break in to established circles. And the language was a problem for me.”

“How long were you in Brazil?” I asked.

“Almost five years. That’s a long time to be trying to give and serve and follow God’s leading and not feel connected to any other women at the heart level.” She brushed a runaway blond, curly tendril off her forehead. “At the very end of my time there, I did connect with a Brazilian friend, Marianna. But right after that, I moved back to the States and had to start all over again.”

“I’m glad you called me as soon as you knew Jordan and you were moving to Irvine,” Christy said.

“I’m glad Jennalyn and you invited me to your fun little watermelon fest the first week I was here. Most women who are already in sync with each other would say, ‘Sorry, no room at the inn. We’re good.’ But from the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed. I think both of you have the gift of hospitality.”

“I felt that way too,” I said bravely. “I was so nervous about coming the first time and—”

Before I could make a further confession, everyone started talking at once, pointing out what a loss that would have been if I hadn’t come that first time. They continued saying kind things about me and how they couldn’t imagine the group without me.

For a woman whose heart feels permanently starved for affirmation, their words went deep.

“I don’t want to even try to imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t come that night and then showed up at just the right time to pick up your cookie plate!” Jennalyn said.

“I feel like we’re doing life together,” Tess said. “Real life. With all the good things and unpleasant things that come at us. It’s not fluffy life.”

“What is fluffy life?” Sierra asked with a laugh.

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