It is the 1st meeting of our 20th year of "reading together"! That's right, we have been an established book club, known and admired for our philanthropy, initiatives and community involvement throughout our metropolitan statistical area for 20 years!!
Our hostess, Ka Saundra "kicked" off our year with taking us back to our beginnings. You see, during our formative years; we would meet at Panera Bread Co. at River City Market Place on Saturday mornings. We never had to wonder where we were meeting, it was pretty standard - We would meet at a member's home or Panera (those were the good ole' days). Ka Saundra opened up with meeting memories and I felt as if I was "teleported" back in time. Ka Saundra reminisced about our February 2013 meeting where book club hostess, Ann gifted us all with earrings that were handmade by her artisan sister, Vickye. This memory evoked many emotions because (unbeknownst to most members) today is actually the 10 anniversary of Ann's passing. Roz remembered the meeting where Val was so frightened of a rabbit that was a inhabitant of our meeting space in February, 2014, that she was on the table (that was really funny). Celeste recalled the meeting when we read, "Looking for Hope" and she had no idea that the author was her daughter. Dee recalled our very first meeting at Lighthouse Grill and I had to mention the incident when Ka Saundra purchased "Cami Cake" cupcakes the night prior to a meeting in 2015 and the icing melted!! We have so many memories, and so many good times!! We will need to have a special meeting this year, just for this activity.
Ka Saundra had the tables arranged in a circle, which made it very easy for conversating. She began her discussion questions with the favorite and least favorite characters. There were no surprises here - but it is always good to hear it articulated. When we discussed homosexuality in the 1910 and 1930's, and Hubert's and Maggie's sham of a marriage - We agreed they both were conniving to get what they wanted (or in Hubert's case, he needed a baby to protect his authentic self), however Hubert was also selfish and self-centered.
The act of martial sex was tackled. Some felt Hubert should have "manned up" and procreated with Maggie - particularly since he "needed" a child. Some felt that it would be unnatural for Hubert to betray himself for the sake of having a baby. The idea of allowing your wife/friend to put herself in harms way was disgusting and immoral. We all felt compassion for Randolph and his position as a pawn in this entire scheme. Roz felt Maggie got want she deserved in the end, while others wanted Randolph and Maggie to have a fairy tale ending.
Here comes "Pandora's Box" - there is always at least one question that gets everyone heated up. Well, Maggie and Hubert's interfering in Claude's relationship with Daisy was addressed with the vigor or some well-seasoned mothers in the group. Kim began the banter, then Roz took it from the perspective of a mother with 4 daughters and how she did not know about sons. Twilla then took the baton, because she has 2 sons, then Celeste and Sharron ran it home with 1 son and 1 daughter. It was interesting to see how the analogies were different, yet the same. Well, "Aunties" like myself, are always there to hand out the hugs and some good ole' retail therapy (Tee Heeeee). We all agreed that Mary Monroe is an author that can turn a murder into a comedic event. When she Killed Daisy and comment on the size of her brain after his cracked her skull morbidly funny.
The question of Ms. Dowler's brother, Oswald and his sexual assault was related back to the thoughts of a plantation mentality. Although Ms. Dowler was a friend to the African American community, many felt she knew well what her brother was capable of, and perhaps left the home intentionally so Oswald could "have his way" with Maggie. It all comes down to blood is thicker than water. Once Oswald was deceased, Ms. Dowler broke down and was never the same. This proves that if Maggie had revealed the truth about Oswald's sexual assaults, she may have believed her, however she never would have taken Maggie's side.
The death of Claude took us all by surprise, none of us saw that coming. Maggie's devastation led her to commit suicide, however we were all curious as to what the authorities thought - basically, if it was all put together after her apparent suicide once she began convulsing in the same manner as Claude. But she consumed all of the evidence, and during that time, she was just another deceased African American.
Ka Saundra, "You Did That"!! Not only did you take us down memory lane, you took us to the back roads Alabama, with Mary Monroe as a tour guide. It was a memorable trip and for sure, none of us will look at a bowl of gumbo the same.