The Second Sister (35 page)
Authors: Marie Bostwick
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.
When we first meet Lucy and Alice, they are on the phone in the middle of the night. We see Lucy's patience with and love for Alice and we understand quickly that Alice is childlike in many ways. “But Alice's voice was so pleading, so plaintive. And so persistent. She'd never let it go. Alice never let anything go.” Can you relate to this relationship? Whom do you feel for in reading their conversation and in Lucy's reflection of their years together? What are you hoping happens with them?
When we first meet Lucy and Alice, they are on the phone in the middle of the night. We see Lucy's patience with and love for Alice and we understand quickly that Alice is childlike in many ways. “But Alice's voice was so pleading, so plaintive. And so persistent. She'd never let it go. Alice never let anything go.” Can you relate to this relationship? Whom do you feel for in reading their conversation and in Lucy's reflection of their years together? What are you hoping happens with them?
2.
Lucy is driven in her passion for her job and for advancing Tom Ryland's political career. Her work ethic is strong and her personal life is completely on hold. Do you see this as a credit to the character or do you think she is avoiding something? Does this make you like Lucy or see her as flawed?
Lucy is driven in her passion for her job and for advancing Tom Ryland's political career. Her work ethic is strong and her personal life is completely on hold. Do you see this as a credit to the character or do you think she is avoiding something? Does this make you like Lucy or see her as flawed?
3.
Lucy seems to have only one friend, Joe Feeney. She says, “I've always found it easier to relate to men than to women.” Do you know a woman who feels that same way? Are you like that? Why do you think some women find it difficult to maintain relationships with other women?
Lucy seems to have only one friend, Joe Feeney. She says, “I've always found it easier to relate to men than to women.” Do you know a woman who feels that same way? Are you like that? Why do you think some women find it difficult to maintain relationships with other women?
4.
In the wake of the accident, Alice suffers some degree of cognitive impairment . . . yet after her death, we find from the people of Nilson's Bay that she had great wisdom (in choosing the right pet for a person and in the terms of the inheritance for the cottage). Do you know someone with a similar kind of wisdom? Share with your group an example of this.
In the wake of the accident, Alice suffers some degree of cognitive impairment . . . yet after her death, we find from the people of Nilson's Bay that she had great wisdom (in choosing the right pet for a person and in the terms of the inheritance for the cottage). Do you know someone with a similar kind of wisdom? Share with your group an example of this.
5.
Lucy had to go through several life transitions in a short time. She went from a busy career to an eight-week “sabbatical.” She went from being a sister to being the only one left in her immediate family (save for Barney). She faced having to sell her home and deciding on a new future. When have you had to deal with a loss of identity or a major, perhaps unanticipated, life transition? How did you cope?
Lucy had to go through several life transitions in a short time. She went from a busy career to an eight-week “sabbatical.” She went from being a sister to being the only one left in her immediate family (save for Barney). She faced having to sell her home and deciding on a new future. When have you had to deal with a loss of identity or a major, perhaps unanticipated, life transition? How did you cope?
6.
At Alice's funeral we meet the FOA women, Rinda, Daphne, and Celia. What characters! Are there “characters” in your life who remind you of one of these dear women Alice adopted as her inner circle of friends? Perhaps you have friends in your life you adore, but who are so different from you. What brought you together with those friends?
At Alice's funeral we meet the FOA women, Rinda, Daphne, and Celia. What characters! Are there “characters” in your life who remind you of one of these dear women Alice adopted as her inner circle of friends? Perhaps you have friends in your life you adore, but who are so different from you. What brought you together with those friends?
7.
Peter Swenson. Do you like him? Do you “know” him or his type? He changed from the sixteen-year-old Lucy remembers to the lawyer he is now. He made some mistakes and some smart moves. What did you admire about his character? Were there qualities you found less admirable in him? Were you rooting for Peter and Lucy?
Peter Swenson. Do you like him? Do you “know” him or his type? He changed from the sixteen-year-old Lucy remembers to the lawyer he is now. He made some mistakes and some smart moves. What did you admire about his character? Were there qualities you found less admirable in him? Were you rooting for Peter and Lucy?
8.
The women of FOA reach out to Lucy and help her with quilting and teach her to be bold and creative. Lucy is used to doing things by herself, so this is a challenge for her. But the moment she becomes “teachable,” it is a turning point for Lucy in many ways. Can you relate to this? Tell the group about a teachable moment in your life and the effect it had upon you.
The women of FOA reach out to Lucy and help her with quilting and teach her to be bold and creative. Lucy is used to doing things by herself, so this is a challenge for her. But the moment she becomes “teachable,” it is a turning point for Lucy in many ways. Can you relate to this? Tell the group about a teachable moment in your life and the effect it had upon you.
9.
We live in a world with such deep ideological divisions and heated political rhetoric that many honest, decent people shy away from the idea of going into a life of public service. Can you think of ways for people to find common ground even when they are on opposite ends of the political spectrum? Peter was content with just being a local public servant, but Lucy saw bigger things for him. Who do you think was right, Peter or Lucy? Would you ever consider running for office? Why or why not?
We live in a world with such deep ideological divisions and heated political rhetoric that many honest, decent people shy away from the idea of going into a life of public service. Can you think of ways for people to find common ground even when they are on opposite ends of the political spectrum? Peter was content with just being a local public servant, but Lucy saw bigger things for him. Who do you think was right, Peter or Lucy? Would you ever consider running for office? Why or why not?
10.
During the Winter Fest activities right before Christmas, Lucy is among throngs of people and families walking around Nilson's Bay, yet she experiences a loneliness and ache like never before. Have you ever felt this? Utterly alone among a crowd? How did you handle it? Are you still in the midst of it? What will you do?
During the Winter Fest activities right before Christmas, Lucy is among throngs of people and families walking around Nilson's Bay, yet she experiences a loneliness and ache like never before. Have you ever felt this? Utterly alone among a crowd? How did you handle it? Are you still in the midst of it? What will you do?
11.
When Lucy reflects on her childhood, she has unhappy memories of her father. She knows he adored and respected Alice, but was always critical of Lucy. What about your family? Were you the favorite? Did you work hard to earn praise? Do you think Lucy's driven nature in politics and her career stem from trying to overcome feelings of inadequacies from the past?
When Lucy reflects on her childhood, she has unhappy memories of her father. She knows he adored and respected Alice, but was always critical of Lucy. What about your family? Were you the favorite? Did you work hard to earn praise? Do you think Lucy's driven nature in politics and her career stem from trying to overcome feelings of inadequacies from the past?
12.
The town of Nilson's Bay, Wisconsin, is loved by its citizens as well as by those who vacation there. Think about where you live. Are you glad you live there? Where do you long to live? What would your ideal home, town, and views be like?
The town of Nilson's Bay, Wisconsin, is loved by its citizens as well as by those who vacation there. Think about where you live. Are you glad you live there? Where do you long to live? What would your ideal home, town, and views be like?
13.
Lucy made a huge career choice at the end of the story. Do you agree with what she chose? Is it what you would have done?
Lucy made a huge career choice at the end of the story. Do you agree with what she chose? Is it what you would have done?
14.
Though Alice's daughter, Jennifer, never had the opportunity to meet her birth mother, the quilts and sketches Alice made for Jennifer help her realize that she was never far from Alice's heart. So often the handicrafts of those we love are the most cherished items left behind. What will you leave behind for your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews? Do you have a special, handmade quilt, painting, or other art object that serves as a cherished reminder of someone you loved? Tell the group about it.
Though Alice's daughter, Jennifer, never had the opportunity to meet her birth mother, the quilts and sketches Alice made for Jennifer help her realize that she was never far from Alice's heart. So often the handicrafts of those we love are the most cherished items left behind. What will you leave behind for your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews? Do you have a special, handmade quilt, painting, or other art object that serves as a cherished reminder of someone you loved? Tell the group about it.
For Personal Reflection
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After Alice's unexpected death, Lucy deeply regretted the many missed opportunities she could have had to know Alice better if she'd just taken the time, made space in her schedule for her sister, listened more intently. Think about your life and the people you have known. Is there someone you should reach out to after reading
The Second Sister
? A conversation, visit, or area of reconciliation you've put off too long? Will you consider taking action in that area now? As Lucy learned, time is fleeting and tomorrow comes with no guarantees.
The Second Sister
? A conversation, visit, or area of reconciliation you've put off too long? Will you consider taking action in that area now? As Lucy learned, time is fleeting and tomorrow comes with no guarantees.
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As Lucy came to understand, sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Is there some mistake or action that you regret in your own life that is standing in the way of your relationships, has robbed you of happiness, or has kept you from accomplishing all you might? After reading
The Second Sister,
do you recognize how unproductive and even harmful this can be? Are you ready to let the past be past, let go of your mistakes and regrets, and move on? If so, good for you! If you're still having trouble forgiving yourself for a past mistake, perhaps it is time for you to share this issue with a minister, spiritual guide, counselor, or wise and trustworthy friend who can help you wipe the slate clean and finally move forward.
The Second Sister,
do you recognize how unproductive and even harmful this can be? Are you ready to let the past be past, let go of your mistakes and regrets, and move on? If so, good for you! If you're still having trouble forgiving yourself for a past mistake, perhaps it is time for you to share this issue with a minister, spiritual guide, counselor, or wise and trustworthy friend who can help you wipe the slate clean and finally move forward.
© Nicole Askari
Marie Bostwick
was born and raised in the Northwest. In the three decades since her marriage, Marie and her family have moved frequently, living in eight different states at eighteen different addresses, three of them in Texas. These experiences have given Marie a unique perspective that enables her to write about people from all walks of life and corners of the country with insight and authenticity. Marie currently resides in Connecticut, where she enjoys writing, spending time with family, helping out at church, gardening, collecting fabric, and stitching quilts.
was born and raised in the Northwest. In the three decades since her marriage, Marie and her family have moved frequently, living in eight different states at eighteen different addresses, three of them in Texas. These experiences have given Marie a unique perspective that enables her to write about people from all walks of life and corners of the country with insight and authenticity. Marie currently resides in Connecticut, where she enjoys writing, spending time with family, helping out at church, gardening, collecting fabric, and stitching quilts.
Please visit her on the Web at:
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on Twitter, at twitter.com/mariebostwick
and on Facebook, at facebook.com/mariebostwick
A S
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It's a long way from Fort Worth, Texas, to New Bern, Connecticut, yet it takes only a day in the charming Yankee town to make Evelyn Dixon realize she's found her new home. The abrupt end of her marriage was Evelyn's wake-up call to get busy chasing her dream of opening a quilt shop. Finding a storefront is easy enough; starting a new life isn't. Little does Evelyn imagine it will bring a trio like Abigail Burgess, her niece Liza, and Margot Matthews through her door. . . .
Troubled and angry after her mother's death, Liza threatens to embarrass her aunt Abigail all over town unless she joins her for quilting classes. A victim of downsizing at the peak of her career, Margot hopes an event hosted by the quilt shop could be a great chance to networkâand keep from dying of boredom....
As they stitch their unique creations, Evelyn, Abigail, Liza, and Margot form a sisterhood they never soughtâbut one that they'll be grateful for when the unexpected provides a poignant reminder of the single thread that binds us all....
A T
HREAD OF
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RUTH
HREAD OF
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RUTH
At twenty-seven, having fled an abusive marriage with little more than her kids and the clothes on her back, Ivy Peterman figures she has nowhere to go but up. Quaint, historic New Bern, Connecticut, seems as good a place as any to start fresh. With a part-time job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop and budding friendships, Ivy feels hopeful for the first time in ages.
But when a popular quilting TV show is taped at the quilt shop, Ivy's unwitting appearance in an on-air promo alerts her ex-husband to her whereabouts. Suddenly, Ivy is facing the fight of her lifeâone that forces her to face her deepest fears as a woman and a mother. This time, however, she's got a sisterhood behind her: companions as complex, strong, and lasting as the quilts they stitch....
A T
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HREAD
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While New Bern, Connecticut, lies under a blanket of snow, the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop remains a cozy haven for its owner, Evelyn Dixon, and her friends. Evelyn relishes winter's slower paceâbesides, Internet sales are hopping, thanks to her son Garrett's efforts. In addition to helping out at the shop, Garrett has also been patiently waiting for his girlfriend, Liza, to finish art school in New York City. But as much as Evelyn loves Liza, she wonders if it's a good idea for her son to be so serious, so soon, with a young woman who's just getting ready to spread her wings....
Liza's wondering the same thingâespecially after Garrett rolls out the red carpet for a super-romantic New Year's Eveâcomplete with marriage proposal. Garrett's the closest thing to perfect she's ever known, but what about her own imperfections? The only happy marriage Liza's ever seen is her aunt Abigail's, and it took her decades to tie the knot. Soon, Liza is struggling not only with her own fears, but with the mixed reactions of her friends and family. And when she finds herself torn between a rare career opportunity and her love for Garrett, Liza must grasp at the thinnest of threadsâand pray it holds....
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