Tippi helped Emerson sort through the haul; Darcy took her mother to Lowe’s for the largest imitation tree in the place. The staff was just beginning to stock the aisles for the holiday season when the Goodridge women arrived.
All the wintry merriment proved lucky. That evening, at precisely seven o’clock, they’d received the call. Finally.
The transplant team was en route to Cincinnati to pick up the precious, lifesaving cargo. Rosalind would be admitted to the Cleveland Clinic within the hour.
Michael climbed down from the ladder. “Done.” He kissed her briefly. “Is your mother packed?”
“Nella helped her finish twenty minutes ago.” They were all driving to the hospital together. One big, happy—and nervous—caravan.
“Sounds good.”
They went inside. Gwynn, the home health aide, was pulling on her coat.
“Where’s my mother?” Darcy asked her.
“Already on the patio.” Gwynn smiled. “Keep me posted regarding her schedule.”
Darcy nodded. Given the progression of her disease, Rosalind would undoubtedly require a long hospital stay. Two weeks, minimum. Perhaps a month. Once she was released, they would need Gwynn’s help—probably until past the real Christmas.
“Nella is in the kitchen helping Latrice with the dinner dishes. Tippi is with them,” Gwynn added. She pressed Darcy’s hand. “I’ll keep your mother in my prayers.”
“Thank you, Gwynn.”
“Call me tomorrow when you have a chance. I want to hear how Rosalind is doing after surgery.”
“I will.”
After she left, Michael went into the kitchen. He came back out with the three women.
They all went outside. On the patio, they spotted Rosalind in her wheelchair. A heavy blanket was tucked around her legs. A fluffy down coat, zipped up to the neck, ensured the brisk October night wouldn’t start her shivering.
On the lawn, Emerson and Samson were conducting an animated conversation. A dash of wind blew Darcy’s hair away from her face. Michael, noting her coat flapping open, buttoned it up.
“What are they doing?” Darcy started across the patio.
Michael caught up to her. “My guess? Debating which star is best.”
“But they aren’t the ones choosing!”
Tippi and Nella hurried past. Latrice, pausing by Darcy, cupped her hands around her mouth. “Boys! Stop arguing. Let Rosalind pick her own star.”
Darcy chuckled as the boys dashed toward the patio. It still tickled her that Rosalind had consented to choose. She’d grown fond of Samson—including his beliefs about finding your very own North Star, the one meant to guide you.
Bending over the wheelchair, she brushed a wisp of hair from her mother’s eyes. “We have to leave for the hospital soon.”
The news pleased Rosalind. “Good. I’ll nap on the way.” She appeared tired, her skin pale.
“Well, hurry up,” Darcy prodded. “It’s getting cold. You look like an ice cube.”
“Oh, hush. I’m trying to choose. There are so many interesting possibilities.” Hesitating, Rosalind waved Michael over. When he neared, she said, “Fetch Samson. I want to pick from the yard. All the light from the house is making this impossible.”
“Good thinking. There’s less light out back.” Michael whistled to the boys. When they trotted up, he told Samson, “Grab the other side of the wheelchair—carefully. We’re carrying Rosalind out to the lawn.”
Ten feet past the patio, they set the wheelchair down. Evening dew glimmered on the grass. Stars threaded the sky in a glittering arc. Darcy marveled at the beauty of the night. The sharp scent of the grass and the sparkling heavens captured her senses and then her heart. She knelt beside her mother’s wheelchair.
“Go on,” she whispered. “Pick whichever star you’d like. It’ll be your guiding light.”
“You’ve been my guiding light these last months,” Rosalind said.
The declaration nearly shook a sob loose from Darcy. On her shoulder, Michael’s fingers pressed with gentle reassurance.
Something of the night’s magic reached Emerson, and his pinched expression eased the smallest degree. He opened his arms wide. “Go on, Grandmother. Choose!”
On a sigh, Rosalind canvassed the sparkling night. Weighing, pondering, she sent her attention leaping across the star-studded expanse.
At last, she lifted her hand.
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
Many of us have experienced a tragic circumstance in the past. Discuss with your book club: Why does Darcy Goodridge feel responsible for the accident that led to the deaths of her sister and her father? Do you agree with her reasoning? Was moving from city to city a suitable penance?
Instead of self-banishment from Ohio, how might Darcy have dealt with her grief?
If Darcy had remained in Ohio, the reader can easily see how Michael Varano might have helped her through the difficult grieving process. Have you experienced the loss of a loved one? Share with your book club the person who helped you find healing, or share a practice that helped you: prayer, solitary walks, a favorite pet, etc. Discuss how you would help a friend through the grieving process.
Judge Rosalind Goodridge resisted the idea of undergoing heart transplant surgery. Why do you believe she resisted the idea? Had she given up on life? Or were her reasons subtle? For example, would a controlling woman like Rosalind secretly worry about dying during the surgery? Or would the need to rely upon others while recuperating prove a strong reason not to have the surgery?
Share with your book club examples of Darcy’s emotional arc as the story progresses. She enters her nephew’s life as Rosalind’s estranged daughter and his mysterious aunt. What does she represent to Emerson by book’s end? Discuss with your book club the fluid nature of family. Latrice is a mother figure to both Darcy and Emerson. Has anyone in your book club played the role of “second mother” or “second father” in a child’s life?
How do groups like Big Brothers and Big Sisters provide the element of family in the lives of children, many of whom live in at-risk homes? Discuss other groups in society that extend the beneficial aspects of family to aid children and adults.
Is anyone in your book club familiar with a family broken apart by tragedy, yet able to reconnect later? Discuss why tragedy can shatter familial bonds. How can grief counseling or other practices help such families before they break apart?
When Darcy confronts Rosalind about Dr. Jack’s infidelities, does the reader feel sympathy for both women, or only Darcy? Discuss with your book club why Rosalind believed she made the best choice for her daughters. Do you agree? What other choices might she have explored instead?
How do the characters Samson, Michael, Nella, and Latrice serve to deepen the reader’s understanding of Darcy? Of Rosalind?
Discuss your favorite character in the book. What did you find most appealing?
If your book club would like to discuss The Road She Left Behind with the author, please contact her at [email protected] with BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION in the subject line. Christine is usually able to schedule several online meetings per month through Skype, Facebook, or the medium of your choice.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my wonderful editor, Christopher Werner, for his brilliant suggestions and for taking the time from his busy schedule to read early drafts; to my developmental editor, Krista Stroever, for all her fabulous insights and keen eye; and to Lake Union’s editorial director, Danielle Marshall, for the opportunity to write The Road She Left Behind for Amazon Publishing.
To my agent, Pamela Harty, for her generous advice and friendship.
To my beta readers Rebecca Frank, Jan Crossen, Pat Werths, and Robin Batterson. Ladies, thank you for your wonderful suggestions as the manuscript underwent countless revisions. Special thanks to Sergeant Kimberly Libens of the Chagrin Falls Police Department for escorting me on Geauga County’s winding country roads as I mapped out the book’s pivotal scenes.
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p; To my copyeditor, Stacee Lawrence; my production editor, Nicole Pomeroy; and my proofreader, Sarah Engel, for both their patience and their careful edits. Heartfelt thanks to Caroline Teagle Johnson for the beautiful cover design.
To my youngest sister, Trish, who has always been the little piece of golden in the Nolfi family tree. From the outset, you were the inspiration behind this story about sisters.
And to Barry, for reading every review throughout the years and believing even when I entertained doubts. I love you, always.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2016 Melissa Miley
Award-winning author Christine Nolfi writes heartwarming and inspiring fiction. She is the author of the award-winning Sweet Lake Series: Sweet Lake, The Comfort of Secrets, and The Season of Silver Linings. A native of Ohio, Christine now resides in South Carolina with her husband and four adopted children. For the latest information about her releases and future books, visit www.christinenolfi.com. Chat with her on Twitter @christinenolfi.
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