The Ex Files (35 page)

K
ENDALL,
S
HERIDAN, AND
A
SIA

Two things Kendall could not believe. First was that the home Vanessa had grown up in was two blocks away from where she’d lived. And second was that she’d actually allowed Sheridan to talk her into doing this.

“Come on, girl,” Sheridan had said yesterday, “this is the first time you’ve answered your phone in months! So you know we want to see you.”

“Months? Slight exaggeration, Sheridan.”

“Sue me. But before you go to court, come with me and Asia to visit Vanessa’s mom. She’s doing better, but Pastor said that seeing us will go a long way.”

“Can’t do that,” she’d said the first time, the third time, the fifth time. By the tenth time, they’d reached a compromise. “I’ll meet you guys at the restaurant.”

But for a reason she couldn’t explain, she sat here now, waiting outside Vanessa’s mother’s house. And already she regretted it all—coming here, letting Sheridan talk her into this.

But she smiled a bit when she thought about seeing her prayer partners. They were the first women she’d connected with in a long time.

She heard laughter and watched Sheridan and Asia hug a woman; there was no doubt she was Vanessa’s mother. She was about Vanessa’s height, her silver hair was curled in the same tight style that Vanessa wore. And she had on one of those hideous flowered dresses.

Kendall peered at her friends as they waved, and then arm in arm, the two strolled toward Sheridan’s car.

With a breath, Kendall jumped from her Jeep and sauntered toward them.

“Kendall!”

They accosted her with hugs as if years had passed since they were together.

“Hold up! What did you do to your hair, girlfriend?”

Kendall ran her hand over her slick, short style. “I needed something different.”

“Hmph. You must have been going through a lot to cut off your hair.”

“You could say that.”

Sheridan said, “You’re still going with us to lunch, right?”

Kendall nodded.

“Great,” Sheridan said and took one of Kendall’s arms while Asia took the other. “Ride with me and Asia so that we can talk. I’ll bring you back for your car.”

“So, what’s been going on, ladies?” Kendall asked when they were settled in the SUV.

“Well…” Sheridan put the key in the ignition, but didn’t turn over the engine. “I was going to wait until we got to the restaurant, but…” She lifted her left hand from her lap. The marquis diamond sparkled like lightning.

Kendall and Asia squealed.

“Dang!” Asia exclaimed. “I didn’t see that when we were in Mrs. Fowler’s house. And you know I don’t be missing no diamonds. Where did you get that?”

“It’s an engagement ring.”

“You’re getting married?” Kendall asked, as she stretched forward to get a better look. “Your man asked you to marry him?”

“Hold up.” There was silence. And then, with a grin, Asia asked, “Which one did you choose?”

“I cannot believe you’re asking me that.”

Asia laughed.

“What is she talking about?” Kendall frowned.

“I’ll explain when we get to Roscoe’s.”

“Hold up.” Asia turned up the radio and blasted Shakira through the car. “That’s my soooong.” She swung her hands through the air. “Hips don’t lie….” she sang.

“Would you turn that down?” Sheridan shouted over the music. “You’re as bad as my daughter.”

“Hey!” Asia clapped. “I got a lot to celebrate. I think Bobby’s going to drop the custody petition,” she exclaimed, still dancing in her seat.

“Really?” Sheridan grinned. “I told you.”

“What custody petition?”

Through the rearview mirror, Sheridan said, “See, you’ve been gone too long. We’ve needed you.”

Kendall smiled. They had no idea how much she’d needed them. She glanced at Sheridan again, while Asia still hummed, swung her hands, and swayed her hips.

“Welcome back,” Sheridan said as she turned to face Kendall.

Kendall rolled her eyes, but she still smiled. She was glad to be back. Glad for the new connections.

1. Pastor Ford forms the weekly prayer group by inviting four women who, at first glance, have little in common with one another. What is it about Pastor Ford that makes these women dutifully attend and find their mission without question? Why do you think she asks Sheridan to facilitate?
   
2. Asia has invested ten years in her relationship with Bobby and becomes desperate when he announces their relationship is over. Why do you think she believed he would leave his wife to marry her? How do you feel about her conniving ways—meeting Bobby, ensnaring him with a carefully planned pregnancy, confronting his wife, and ultimately making false accusations to Child Services?
   
3. Do you think Child Services should let Asia keep Angel? Why or why not? What would the members of the prayer group think if they knew what Asia had done?
   
4. Kendall can’t forgive Sabrina for stealing her husband, Anthony. What other options does Kendall have for revenge besides withholding a bone-marrow transplant? How do you feel about Kendall’s refusal to communicate with Sabrina even when she finds out her half sister is dying?
   
5. What factors motivate Kendall to search for a viable bone-marrow donor and form the foundation anonymously? What do you think would happen next if the story were to continue?
   
6. Sheridan is continuously torn between Brock and Quentin throughout the novel. Do you think it’s possible to be close friends with the father of your children and still be able to move on and marry another? Do you think Sheridan is truthful with Brock when she says that Quentin is out of her heart, and do you think he’s truly convinced? How do you think the death of her beloved father, Cameron, plays into her choices?
   
7. Tori is ostracized by her schoolmates; her best friend, Lara; and Lara’s mother after Sheridan discovers their exploratory kiss and the rumors about Quentin’s infidelity. What do you think about Tori’s suspension from school? Do you side with Quentin, who thinks suspension for fighting is unfair? Do you agree with his idea of adopting the Christian response of turning the other cheek, or with the principal’s interpretation? Why?
   
8. Do you think Sheridan agrees with the pastor’s belief that homosexuals are not born with their sexuality? (“First of all, you know Quentin wasn’t born that way, so neither was Tori”) Do you think she blames herself for not anticipating, or perhaps even causing, Quentin’s transgression? Or for Tori’s kiss with Lara?
   
9. Vanessa seems warm and solidly rooted, and to have so much promise in many roles in her life, especially as a daughter and a member of the community. Why does her death stun the others in the group so much? Do you think they could have reached out more? And, if so, would it have made a difference? And why do you think she saw no other path for herself?
   
10. On Asia asks, “How can they think about suicide? It’s the unforgivable sin—they’re going to hell.” Pastor Ford makes it clear that suicide is not the ultimate sin—“if it was it would be in the Bible”—but refers her to the passage that does reveal the ultimate sin. “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven” (Matt. 12:31). What is the point that you think Pastor Ford is trying to make for Asia? And why?
    
11. Why do you think Victoria Christopher Murray wrote the novel in a format that shifts among each of the four main characters’ viewpoints for each chapter? Does it make the novel and each woman’s story and motivations easier to follow? Why or why not?
    
12. At the end of the novel, each woman has dealt with the dissolution of a relationship in her own way—some with revenge, some with the help of God, some with the help of friends and family, and some with a bit of each—but all have moved on. Did the prayer group’s bond help the women? Could they have done more to help Vanessa?
    

Enhance Your Book Group

1. Pastor Ford is a great cook and loves to host dinners with Asia and Angel. Serve a feast that would make her proud!
   
2. If you haven’t been attending a club or group that you had once been a regular part of, try to attend a meeting or reconnect with some of your favorite members before your book group gathers and see how it feels to rekindle the closeness one can discover from a group with a mutual interest. For example, it could be a knitting, Bible study, or hiking group, or perhaps meeting with a group of friends you have not seen in a while.
   
3. Read
   Grown Folks Business
   , the novel that introduces Sheridan and the Hart family. Discuss the author’s writing style and how each of the characters has grown and changed.
   
4. Go to www.victoriachristophermurray.com to learn more about the author and her novels.
   

Author Q&A

• 1. When did you begin writing fiction? Why did you choose to self-publish your first novel? And what made you continue on to write what is now your sixth novel?
  I wrote my first novel in 1997 and self-published because I thought I had the business background to do it. But it became difficult to do both—be creative and work on the business side of publishing. As far as what has made me continue, I guess I’m motivated just like anyone else who loves their job. I continue because I love to eat, love having a roof over my head, et cetera. I’m blessed, though, that I make my living doing what I love.
  
• 2. Do you consider your novels to be “Christian fiction”? How does your faith affect you as an author?
  It’s been a difficult label to accept, but I’ve finally accepted the label that I’m a Christian fiction writer. I think my novels are much edgier than what is normally acceptable in this genre, but I’ll just keep writing what’s in my heart. My faith affects everything I do. If I were a teacher, everyone would know that I love the Lord. No matter what I do in life, I take my faith with me.
  
• 3. What made you decide to write a follow-up novel to
  Grown Folks Business
  ? Why did you choose Sheridan to lead the
  Ex Files
  ?
  I don’t consider
  The Ex Files
  a follow-up to
  Grown Folks Business
  . I wanted to write a book on four women dealing with their exes and when I was developing characters, I realized that I already had a character who would fit. That’s how Sheridan became part of the story. I was looking for a character who was dealing with her ex, but who was standing on her faith to do it. Sheridan fit the bill.
  
• 4. How did you choose the different personalities and plights of the four women in
  The Ex Files
  ? What sets them apart? What brings them together?
  A friend once said to me that there are four ways to handle a breakup. You can be faith-filled, faithless, weak-willed, or revenge-filled. I found that fascinating and decided to write a novel around that. Each of the four women in
  The Ex Files
  was one of these.
  
• 5. You spend several months a year on the road doing author events for each of your novels and speaking to organizations and churches. How many cities on average do you visit a year? How does it feel to meet your biggest fans and what is your favorite aspect of these tours?
  Touring is grueling—every day in a different city, a different hotel. Sometimes I forget my room numbers. But it is great to meet with readers who say they enjoy my novels. I get insight and even have come up with a couple of names for characters. I write for the readers, so it’s always great to meet them. I guess I visit about fifteen to twenty cities for each tour. But I have to say that my favorite part of the tours is coming home and sleeping in my own bed!
  
• 6. Mothers’ love and commitment is a constant theme. Were any of the relationships based on you and your mother? Based on you as a mother? Or on someone you know?
  No, I never write about my life or about people I know. Blessedly, I have an imagination that allows me to make up these things in my head.
  
• 7. While reading
  The Ex Files
  , we get a real sense of place, for example, the calming view and smell of the sea, and a sense of smell, such as the sensual scent of each lover. Why are these nuances key to your characters? Is there a special meaning for you?
  There are no special meanings. I think as a writer, I must engage all five senses for my readers. I want the reader to feel as if they are right there in the scene. That’s part of the craft of writing to me.
  
• 8. Have you ever been part of a small prayer group like
  The Ex Files
  ? If so, what was your common bond?
  No, I’ve never been part of a group like that, but I think it would be great!
  
• 9. Will you continue the story of Sheridan and the Hart family [first started in
  Grown Folks Business
  ]? What is the premise of your next novel and who is the protagonist?
  No, that’s it for Sheridan and the Hart family. Their story is complete. My next novel is called
  Too Little, Too Late
  and it completes the story of Jasmine Cox Larson Bush from
  A Sin and a Shame
  and
  Temptation
  .