The Foursome
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Sophie had put some nuts and raisins in a little bowl in the middle of the kitchen table. They contrasted with the pure white of the shiny porcelain. The four women were silent. Gertie ventured two fingers to the bowl and chose one nut. Maggie sat with her hands in her lap. Blanche wore her yellow and red-flowered shawl draped across her back and shoulders. Red fringes knotted along the edge swung freely. She reached over with her abundant arm and dragged her screaming shawl with its fringes, sweeping the table. “Well, if you girls are gonna be so polite, that’ll leave more for me.” She cupped her hand and scooped up nearly half of the nuts and raisins. “We’ve learned our lesson with you, Blanche,” said Maggie. “You’d do anything to protect food, even if it’s not yours. “And since when have you been so bashful? Anyone can see beyond your innocent-looking face and your little white gloves which, I see, you’ve left home today.” “Well, at least I don’t come in like an elephant sucking up anything that’s not nailed down.” “Maggie,” said Gertie, taking another nut from the diminishing pile, “Blanche deserves everything you’re throwing at her, but do we have to hang our dirty laundry out in front of Sophie who is obviously a lady. I think we should try to fake it for another five minutes so that Sophie has time to see that I’m the only other one that resembles ladyhood around here.” “Chewing with your mouth open is a dead giveaway, Gertie. You’re not fooling anyone,” said Maggie. Blanche cut them both off. “At least I am who I am.” “And who are you?” said Sophie. “The drowned rat I ran into in the street? Raining, pouring, wind like a tornado that tore our hats off our heads and we went chasing our hats that nearly made it to the trolley for a free ride downtown.” “You weren’t exactly the picture of springtime fighting with your umbrella. If it weren’t for Coney Island and a cup of coffee, I’d still be looking for a fourth poker player.” “A poker player.” said Sophie. “I don’t even know how to deal cards, let alone cheat at them. Looking you girls over, I’d better count my silverware. And how I got talked into joining this group is still a mystery to me.” Maggie said, “Don’t worry. I’ll teach you the fine points of the game.” “And when I start dealing from the bottom of the deck,” said Sophie, “Who can I confess to?” “I’ll loan you my priest.” The four of them burst out laughing. “So I’ll deal.” Blanche picked up the cards and started flipping them one by one until two got stuck together on the way to Maggie. Blanche started gathering them up to deal again. “Who made you President that you can decide you’re dealing?” Maggie held onto the cards she was dealt. “I like these.”
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Four young women are sitting at the kitchen table. Blanche, in an exaggerated manner, readjusts her flowered shawl over her ample shoulders and picks up the deck of cards. With her usual grand gesture, she flips a card in an arc to each of the four waiting piles. Sophie places hunks of bubbling kugel onto four waiting plates. Gertie gathers her cards carefully and fans them. Blanche reaches over to Maggie’s pile as Maggie scoops them into a neat set. She slaps Blanche’s hand away. “Lay off,” she says. Blanche says, “Gimme those. One stuck together.” “Says who?” “Says me.”
And so, over kugel and cards, another weekly lunch of quick-witted bickering, laughing, insulting, and horseplay begins. And the revealing of their deepest-held secrets ensues, the result of which is an outpouring of tears, followed by soothing, and finally, relief in the arms of trusted friends.
Blanche is the flamboyant, dynamic member of the foursome that never does play a hand of poker. She meets her true love, shy and quiet Aaron, when they are nine years old. Her attraction to him is part of her story. But Buzz, her older brother, holds the key to the grief she hides beneath her flashy exterior.
Maggie is Blanche’s sparring partner, though they have a deep attachment that gives them special insight into each other’s pain. Maggie’s pervasive guilt over her conflict with her Church and family and Catholic beliefs is her story. And her sharpened sensitivity enables her to intuit Sophie’s story.
Sophie’s marriage to Jack flounders when their infant son, Leon, dies of pneumonia. Her maternal need yearns for another child. Alyosha, a traveling stranger, lingers for a short time in Sophie’s neighborhood before moving on. Sophie’s decision is abrupt and certain, leaving her carrying a deep-seated, lifelong mystery.
Gertie is single, and Reuben is courting her. Reuben is refreshing, engaging, and resourceful. Gertie is attracted, but she has a reservation regarding one aspect of Reuben’s behavior. It speaks to the core of her fear.
THE FOURSOME is a story of friendship. A safe haven, trust, and wisdom are the crucial qualities of a true friendship. Blanche, Maggie, Sophie, and Gertie have them all.
About the Author
Bernice Berger Miller earned her B.S. at Columbia, her M.A. at Florida Atlantic University, and her Ph.D. in English at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She has written children’s stories, poetry, and two published novels, THE HORSE-GOD and THE LAST SYLLABLE. She currently lives in Bal Harbour, Florida.