Well, I made it girls with only one minor melt
down during preparation for our October meeting. I managed to provide a meal
with some help from my sister and nobody passed away after eating. I tried to
stick with a southern style meal, but celebrated with my Halloween party theme.
Of course I didn't have a cork screw (thanks neighbor for the help), finally
found the dusty wine glasses (thanks Ellen for drying them), and had no coffee
(just hot tea)--sorry ladies. I appreciate the wine, desserts, and small gift
brought by fellow book club members. After doing what we do best (eating), we
got down to discussing the book, "The Last Original Wife" by Dorothea Benton
Frank. Most agreed that Wes was not a very considerate husband. He and the
children did not seem to consider all the hard work and sacrifices Leslie made
during her life for them. It was amazing that she could fall and hurt herself
while out walking with him and it took 40 minutes before he noticed she wasn't
still there. Also, how could he hide having saved so much money without her
knowledge. She had to scrimp and save every penny while he spent whatever he
wanted on himself. It was pointed out they didn't seem to have any real deep
love or affection between them and this was probably the root of the problem in
their marriage. Everybody felt she did the right thing in taking care of him
when he had to go in for surgery. After so many years of marriage, it only
seemed right to be there in his time of need. It was brought up that maybe she
was selfish in leaving the way she did and by not caring if they were able to
cope without her. Another point of contention was how it seemed too convenient
when she immediately ran into her old boyfriend and developed a relationship
with him so quickly. Some of us thought this relationship and marriage happened
to soon. In the back of my mind, I kept waiting for the fairytale ending where
Wes would realize just how wonderful she had been (I think he did in the end),
but that they would mend their fences and try again. Well, folks--it just
didn't happen.
Carol
