She could picture her first episode already. Blaise Monroe, former model-turned-motivational sensation, live and in person talking about reinvention, courage, and starting over.
But what was Cece’s podcastcalled? She still hadn’t figure that out. She tapped a finger against the table as she thought.
“Let’s see,” she said to Peanut, who blinked up at her unhelpfully. “It needs to be upbeat. Empowering. Interesting. Something that speaks to the idea that everyone has a story to tell. Especially those of us who’ve been around a while.”
Ideas rolled through her mind like waves.Women of a Certain Age? She liked that, but she planned to interview men, too.The Midlife Makeover Podcastsounded too female. She was talking about people, not cosmetics.Still Rising? That had some possibilities, but it was awfully serious. If she was just interviewing women,Queen Bees Unfilteredwould be fun.
“That one’s not bad,” she mused. “We are quite unfiltered. Especially Maude. And it’s not like the name Queen Bees belongs exclusively to the book club. A Queen Bee just means any woman who’s in charge.”
She laughed and scribbledQueen Bees Unfilteredon a sticky note and stuck it to the wall. It wouldn’t work for the podcast name, but it could be a title for an episode, if she had the right woman on. Blaise would be a good example. Paige was probably a better one. Then, as inspiration struck, she added two more:Age Isn’t the StoryandMore To Us.
Stepping back, Cece took in the space. There was a lot of work still to be done, but there was so much possibility. She couldn’t help but be happy.
This wasn’t how she’d thought her life would go, but since meeting the Queen Bees, things were definitely looking up. She felt like she was in control again. There was a lot to be said for that.
She put her hands on her hips and glanced at Peanut. “I guess this is my real life now. Take two, anyway.”
Peanut curled up tighter in the box and Cece sucked in a breath as a little shiver went through her. “Maybe that’s it.Real Life: Take Two. What do you think, Peanut?”
Unsurprisingly, the cat said nothing. Cece sent a text to the group.What do you think ofReal Life, Take Twofor the name of my podcast?
One by one, the responses came in. Unanimously, they loved it.
Cece nodded. She did, too. She couldn’t stop smiling. Now to call Joe and fill him in. Funny how he’d become a part of her life so quickly.
Funny in the best possible way.
Cece scribbled the title down in big, bold letters on a sticky note and pasted it to the wall. She nodded. “That’s the one.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Essie wrung out her sponge and wiped another neat circle on one of the fellowship hall’s folding tables. She’d come to the church this Monday morning knowing the usual group of volunteers, all folks she knew, would be here cleaning. She needed something to do and they’d welcomed her help.
She’d welcomed the opportunity to occupy her mind because today, it wouldn’t stay still.
Sophie was arriving at Chad’s housetoday.Frank’s sweet son, who adored his sister more than anything, was preparing to lay down a serious ultimatum with her over this whole lawsuit business. The very thought of that confrontation had Essie beside herself. She’d spent time in prayer over the matter.
Frank had done the same, then gone out golfing with Bob and some of his other usual gang for his standard Monday game. He might be acting like everything was normal, but she knew he’d be checking his phone every few minutes, waiting for news.
Because she was doing the same.
“Essie, honey, you’re cleaning that thing to death,” Francine Carter called from across the hall, shaking out a fresh trash bag. “You planning to eat off it later?”
Essie blinked down at the table she’d wiped down more times than necessary and forced a small laugh. “Sorry. Lost in a daydream.”
Miriam Simmons joined them, armed with a feather duster and a Tupperware container of brownies she’d brought “for strength.”
“I heard Sophie’s visiting her brother today,” she said gently, lowering her voice. “That must be what’s got your head in the clouds.”
“How did you hear that?” They hadn’t even told Pastor John that. Or had Frank said something when she hadn’t been around?
Miriam shrugged. “She posted about it on TikTok. Sorry. Should I not be following her?”
“No, it’s fine.” Essie set her sponge aside, smoothing her hands down the front of her jeans. “She’s supposedly going to visit with the kids, but it’s really so Chad can talk to her while she’s there. About…everything.”
There was no point in hiding the truth. Everyone knew.
Miriam gave her a knowing look. Miriam had seen her share of parenting challenges. Her son had been caught shoplifting a few years ago. “The ‘come to Jesus’ kind of talk?”
