The Color of Hope

CHAPTER FOUR





Who would’ve thought Ladies’ Night Out would mean a Bible study?” Stephanie stepped out of the car in the parking lot of the Main Street Diner, noting the number of cars that had already arrived. “I remember hitting the clubs on Thursday nights.”

“After all that driving and helping you move in, the only thing I was ready to hit was the bed,” Cyd said. “But I’ve heard so much about Soul Sisters that I wanted to check it out while I’m here.” She wagged her eyebrows at Stephanie. “Plus, I had to see where you used to work.”

“Don’t remind me.” Stephanie walked toward the door. “Craziest couple of weeks of my life.”

Janelle was at her side. “I wish Libby had come. Haven’t been able to get her here yet.”

Stephanie nodded. “Yeah, I tried to sell the whole Ladies’ Night Out thing, but she wasn’t buying.”

Pastor Todd’s wife, Becca, had ridden with them. The Dillon and Sanders families had lived next door to each other for generations, and Todd and Becca had also moved “back” to Hope Springs from St. Louis only the year before. “I’m trying to get Libby to come to the joint service on Sunday,” Becca said, “and not just because it’s being boycotted. I think she’d like—”

“Wait, what?” Stephanie’s head whipped around. “Who’s boycotting?”

“From what I understand, it’s—”

“Hey, Stephanie’s here! Welcome back, girl!”

They all turned to see Trina, Beverly, and Allison, all New Jerusalem members who had been attending Soul Sisters since the group’s very first meeting.

Stephanie waved big, smiling. “Hey, good to see y’all!” She hugged each of them. “This is my sister, Cyd.”

“I remember,” Trina said, hugging her. “We met briefly at your grandmother’s funeral.”

“Sure did.” Cyd hugged the others. “I remember your faces. Good to see you again.”

The group walked toward the entrance, chatting. The overhead bell tinkled when Janelle pulled open the door. Stephanie walked in and saw several new faces and many familiar ones.

“I’ve missed y’all!” she exclaimed, moving with wide-open arms from person to person.

She traded a few words with each, then saw Sara Ann. One of the few people born and raised in Hope Springs who’d never left, Sara Ann had worked at the diner for many years. She’d been instrumental in getting Stephanie to fill in for those two weeks, and Stephanie had come to admire her.

“Sara Ann!” Stephanie said. “How’ve you been?”

“Real good! So glad you’re back.” She was bubbly as always, gesturing around her. “So how do you like us on Thursday night?”

Stephanie took it in, nodding. “I like it a lot. We get the place all to ourselves.”

“Yeah, we kinda outgrew Saturday mornings,” Sara Ann said. “Since the diner closes at three, this solution was perfect. Lila is more than happy to let us use it.”

“Except . . .” Janelle looked forlorn. “Coffee and water aren’t the same as pancakes and sausage.”

“True, true.” Sara Ann smiled. “But my mouth is watering for fried fish tomorrow night. I’m excited about the reunion.” She looked at Stephanie. “I always crash it.”

“You’ve probably been to more Sanders family reunions than I have,” Stephanie said. “It’ll be my first one since high school.”

“Wouldn’t be the same without you, Sara Ann,” Janelle said. She added quickly, “Matter of fact, I’m sure I can find some way for you to be on Team Estelle and boost our points.”

“Really, Janelle?” Stephanie’s hand flew to her hip. “I know your little team is on life support, but do you really want to go there with open recruiting? Because, as I recall, there’s a talent show too.” She looked to her left. “And Trina can sing.”

Janelle narrowed her eyes at Stephanie.

Sara Ann had begun waving her hands. “Ladies, we can mingle some more at the end, but let’s take our seats and get started.”

Most of the women had already claimed their seats, purses holding their places. Stephanie, Janelle, Cyd, and Becca headed for an empty table for six just as the bell tinkled again, announcing another comer.

Janelle looked surprised, then popped over to hug the young blond woman and pull her toward their table, where Becca rose to greet her as well.

“Stephanie, Cyd,” Janelle said. “This is Charley—”

“Oh my goodness, I have that.” Stephanie pointed at Charley’s red shirt with ALIEN in big letters on the front and I PETER 2:II in smaller print beneath. “Except mine is black with white digital-looking letters.”

“No way, that was the limited edition one,” Charley said. “I tried to order it from the website, but it was sold out. You must’ve jumped on it early.”

“Actually, I just . . . took one. Alien—Brian—is my brother-in-law.”

“Shut. Up.” Charley grabbed her forearm. “He’s my absolute favorite Christian rapper. Saw him in Charlotte this May with his wife, heard their beautiful testimony.” She paused. “You’re serious, they’re your fam—”

“Ladies . . .”

They glanced up and saw they were the only ones still standing.

“Uh, sorry, Sara Ann,” Stephanie said, and she and Charley quickly sat down.

“You all know we’re not big on formalities around here,” Sara Ann continued, “but we are big on sisterhood”—she grinned—“so like it or not, we ask newcomers to introduce themselves.” She turned to Stephanie’s table. “And all our newcomers are at the same table, though you’re not all new exactly. Tell us your name, where you’re from, and how God led you to Soul Sisters. And, Stephanie, since you’re already in a talkative mood, why don’t you start?”

“Ha. Ha.” Stephanie stood, smiling. “I’m Stephanie London, from St. Louis, moved to Hope Springs today—”

A round of cheers went up.

“—and I was at the very first Soul Sisters, as a server at the diner.” She held up a hand. “Long story. Had to do with spiritual boot camp, God, and Sara Ann twisting my arm, but I survived. Barely.” She grinned and sat down.

Cyd stood next. “I’m Stephanie’s sister, Cyd, from St. Louis, in town for our family reunion. Steph and my cousin Janelle told me about Soul Sisters from the time it started, so I’m excited to finally come and meet everybody.”

Charley stood. “Hey, I’m Charley Willoughby, born and raised in Hope Springs. I came to Soul Sisters back in March and the first part of April. But then . . . well, my fiancé and I broke up, and to be honest, I was kind of embarrassed and wanted to avoid all the questions.”

“Girl, you don’t need to be embarrassed around us,” Beverly said. “I was wondering what happened to you. Even looked for you at the joint services. We’ve missed you.”

Charley smiled. “I missed y’all too. I’ve been thinking through some things today, and Soul Sisters came to mind. That’s what led me to come back.”

“Well, I’m feeling good tonight,” Sara Ann said. “Stephanie’s a new resident of Hope Springs, Cyd’s in town, and Charley’s back.” She scanned the group. “Any announcements or other housekeeping matters before we get started?”

Trina’s hand went up. “Beverly mentioned the combined service. We’ve been praying for it from the beginning, and Pastor Travis and Pastor Todd even said Soul Sisters inspired it. But I’m afraid of what’ll happen now that there’s this boycott on Sunday.”

“Who’s boycotting?” another woman asked.

A few voices clamored at once.

Violet, a Calvary member in her seventies, stood, and the women quieted. “Skip Willoughby’s the one who started it. Called me today and told me not to go. And I told him a thing or two in response.” Ever full of spunk, she sat back down.

Willoughby? Stephanie couldn’t help but glance at Charley. Had to be related to her somehow.

“Ladies, ladies!” Sara Ann tried to quell the noise, but so many pockets of conversation had erupted that her voice was barely audible. She walked closer to their table. “Becca? Could you say something? You probably know more than anybody here.”

Becca hesitated. “That’s why I didn’t want to say anything, because I might be too close to the situation. But I’ll try.”

She got up and walked to the center of the tables, and the women grew quiet, probably thinking they were about to get some juicy tidbit.

“Sounds like a lot of you are upset about this.” Becca had a calming way about her. “And understandably so. But we shouldn’t be surprised. There was opposition from the beginning. The boycott is just the latest thing.” She sighed. “Todd and Travis have suffered a lot of blowback from people in both churches. We know the real struggle is not flesh and blood, so let’s keep praying. Todd is convinced that our prayers are the reason that more and more people are coming to the services from outside of Hope Springs. Boycott or no, let’s pray for a packed house on Sunday.”

“Amen!” rang out in the room as Becca took her seat.

“Thanks, Becca,” Sara Ann said. “Sounds like we’ll be doing a lot more praying than mingling at the end.” Her eyes took a mischievous turn. “But right now, I’m wondering if everybody’s ready to spend the next week focused on hospitality.”

A couple of women groaned. “That’s just not me,” one said.

Sara Ann laughed. “Isn’t that the whole point? To be like . . .” She cupped her ear.

“Him!” the women shouted.

Stephanie’s brow creased. “What’s that about?”

Janelle leaned over. “Our latest study—’Like Him.’ Every week we focus on a different attribute of Jesus or a godly character trait.”

“I’m just saying,” the first woman insisted, “whenever I think about having people over, I get hung up on the food. I’m not good at cooking for people. By the time I go round and round with it, I just say forget it.”

“Well, Soul Sisters to the rescue!” Sara Ann said. “Seriously, I need a lot of work in this area myself, but that’s why we’re doing this. Let’s see what the Bible says about hospitality and look at some examples from Sarah to Martha.” She turned to the table beside Stephanie’s. “Then we’ve got a special treat. Trina’s gonna come up and give us some tips.” She smiled. “And if she did like I told her, she brought some recipes to share with us too.”

Trina smiled, nodding. “Yes, ma’am, I did.”

“The one for the lemon bars you made that time too?”

“You know it.”

“Awesome!” Sara Ann pumped her fist, then picked up her Bible from the table. “Okay, y’all, turn to Romans 12 . . .”





Stephanie had thought about it all during the time of closing prayer. When it ended, she turned to Charley. “We’ve given you another reason to stay away from Soul Sisters, haven’t we?”

Charley looked surprised. “Because of talk about the joint service?”

“And your grandfather,” Janelle said. “When somebody prayed for God to touch his heart, I thought, I wouldn’t blame Charley for taking this personally. She might never come back.”

Charley shook her head. “I don’t agree with what my grandpa’s doing either, although I think that he thinks he’s looking out for the best interests of Calvary.” She looked around. “I’m glad I’m here. I didn’t realize the service had been getting resistance on all sides, or all the praying you guys have been doing. I feel like I’ve been in a fog.”

“You were, in a way,” Janelle said. “You were engaged and thought you had a vision for your life. It takes awhile to see your way clearly to what’s next after a sudden change.”

“And you would know,” Charley said. “You dealt with a lot worse, with your husband dying.”

“Well . . . let’s just say I understand,” Janelle said. “How are you doing now, with the breakup and all?”

“Fine as far as the breakup,” Charley said. “But still figuring out the ‘what’s next.’ I’ve been planning a move to Charlotte.”

“Sounded like I heard a but in there,” Stephanie said.

Charley sighed. “You did. I’m a P.E. teacher and left my job at the high school this spring. But just this morning Mr. Maxwell, my assistant principal, offered me the head volleyball coach position, which is what I wanted. At least it was before I decided to leave.”

“Mr. Maxwell . . . Marcus?” Stephanie asked. “He’s our cousin.”

Charley looked incredulous. “Okay, who aren’t you related to?”

“Why did you leave your job?” Janelle asked.

“After the breakup, I wanted to do something different. Something God-sized. Leaving town seemed like the logical first step.”

“That’s funny,” Stephanie said, “since I was feeling the same thing this spring and felt God leading me here to do something God-sized.”

Charley seemed to take that in. “That’s weird. Mr. Maxwell—Marcus”—she smiled—“basically said the same thing. Who would’ve thought God could be doing something here in Hope Springs?”

Janelle smiled. “I’ve actually been thinking about that very thing for a while—what God might be doing here. Seemed to start when Todd and Travis moved back and took over at Calvary and New Jerusalem. Next thing you know, a combined service is up and running. Then I relocate here, then Marcus, now Stephanie.” She paused, taking it in. “Something weird is going on.”

“Hmph.” Stephanie glanced around the room. “All I know is, I’m looking at all these women in their thirties—Janelle, Becca, Sara Ann, Trina.” She turned back to Charley. “How is it fair for God to move you out of town? I need another twentysomething around here. Plus, we rock the same music and the same shirt? Nope, you can’t go.”

Charley laughed. “This is so crazy. I literally have no idea what God wants me to do.”

“Yeah, well, join the club,” Stephanie said. “I’m here, but I don’t know what He wants me to do here. I guess that makes the two of us doubly Soul Sisters or something.”

“Which is kind of cool,” Charley said. “Being clueless together.”

Stephanie laughed with her. “Well, before God whisks you away, we should hang out. Our family reunion starts tomorrow night with a fish fry. You should come over.” She snapped her finger. “You’d be helping me fulfill the hospitality charge too.”

“Great idea,” Janelle said. She put an arm around Charley. “And here’s the deal. I’m inviting you to be on my team, Team Estelle—”

“Oh no you don’t.” Stephanie moved Janelle out of the way. “You would actually be more suited to Team Bruce.”

Charley smiled. “What’s the team thing?”

“The teams are named after our parents,” Janelle said, “but we’re just having fun with you. Not about coming, though—we’d love to have you.”

Charley didn’t hesitate. “That’s actually something I’m not clueless about. I’d love to hang out with you all.”