Page 99 of Turning the Page

Maude and Blaise moved out to lounge chairs in the sun. The pool shimmered across from them, sunlight glittering on the surface. A gentle breeze swayed the palm fronds and eased the day’s warmth.

Cece was asking Essie about how things with Sophie were going while Essie held Cece’s hand and offered to pray with her.

Paige came to sit beside Althea. “How’s Lester really doing?”

“He’s practically his old self again.” She patted Paige’s hand. “I can’t tell you how much it meant to him—and me—to have you girls rally around us when he had his heart attack.”

“We were pleased to do it.”

“I know you were.” The older woman leaned back in her chair, a satisfied expression on her face. “I think Lester knew what I needed,” she added, taking a deep breath and stretching her legs out. “This was the right thing to do. I felt a little bad leaving him, but getting out of the house feels good.”

“Does that mean you’ll be at book club tomorrow?”

“You bet it does.”

“Wonderful.” Paige smiled, taking in the moment and basking in the joy of these new friendships.

She let her gaze drift around the cabana, taking in each familiar face, the easy laughter, the quiet understanding that no one here needed to explain themselves anymore. Their stories would keep unfolding. The challenges would keep coming. But being together like this felt like proof of something important.

This was so much more than a book club. They were turning the pages of life together, choosing friendship and community. Creating a new support system that none of them had had before.

And as the afternoon light shimmered across the pool, Paige knew that was the real gift they’d given one another.