The Book Club

By Tuff Gartin

Aphra is entering high school and has no friends. Aphra loves books so tries to buy friends with the help of her mysterious father, Dr. Sutton, by becoming the benefactor for a lavish book club. Shortly after her father dies from a family genetic condition, Aphra discovers a plastic folder that opens a can of worms about her father that changes everything. The Book Club members increasingly ridicule Aphra as info about her father gets leaked to the papers. She plans a final Book Club meeting where she will get her revenge on the other Book Club members. But things do not go as planned the night of that final meeting and Aphra is forced to watch the horrifying scene unfold before her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tuff Gartin
• Release date: Jun 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781947903081

Tuff Gartin

Tuff Gartin lives in the Nashville, Tennessee area. He has a wonderful and supporting family that encourages him always, despite what they may be thinking about crazy authorpreneurs. Tuff enjoys spending time with his family and, otherwise, writing for his Tuff Readers and watching sports. As long as there are Tuff Readers out there, Tuff will stay committed to giving his readers the best reading experiences he and his Muse can create. Are you a Tuff Reader? Visit www.tuffgartin.com/myreaders.html to find out. If you are, please sign up for Tuff’s email list to get the latest info on Tuff and his books. Author website: www.tuffgartin.com

Book preview

1

The Announcement

High School: Senior Year

Aphra Sutton stood beside her father's bed. The rest of the girls in the Book Club were all gathered downstairs in the kitchen, no doubt talking about the quirks of Aphra or her eccentric father, and probably their run-down home. Tears streamed down Aphra's face as her father, Dr. Sutton, shared awful news.

There's no use crying Aphra. We all must die at some point. I've lived a blessed life. I've traveled the world. I've changed thousands of lives. I've made more money than I could have ever dreamed of. And, of course, I've had the pleasure of having you in my life for eighteen years. What more can a man ask for?

The word Aphra chose to use when describing her relationship with her father was distant. Dr. Sutton specialized in kidney transplants. He always had a soft spot for parts of the world where such doctors were rare. Her father would often be gone for months at a time. Aphra was closer to the house maid, Claire, who had been there for her daily, than she was her father. Aphra never had the chance to know her mother, who died shortly after giving birth to her.

Aphra loved her father very much. She just did not know him very well. She had never doubted his love for her. He always went of his way to ensure Aphra feel included, even if that meant doling out a bunch of money. Aphra, like her father, was an odd soul. They were both quirky and awkward in social situations. They always stuck out like sore thumbs when amongst other people, often being the butt of unheard jokes. They both had trouble making friends. One workaround Dr. Sutton had learned over the years was being a big spender. Buying fancy dinners, nice gifts, and sometimes even trips allowed Dr. Sutton to secure friendships.

So, when his little Aphra started having issues making friends at an early age, Dr. Sutton had learned the remedy from his own personal experiences. There was that time in second grade when he rented out an entire movie theater for Aphra's classmates—with popcorn, candy, and drinks for everyone; and, of course, a goody bag to all who came which included a two-hundred-dollar gift card to a local department store. During Aphra's sixth grade year, he rented out a roller rink. And then in eighth grade, he rented a luxurious bus and allowed Aphra to invite fifteen classmates and their parents to spend a day at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Dad, I need to get downstairs. I'm fifteen minutes late already. The girls are going to be furious with me. They might leave.

Go. Be with your friends. We can talk more after your meeting. And cheer up. Keep thinking about the proposal. That'll help. He offered a brave smile to Aphra as she turned away to join the other six members of the Book Club.

Aphra reached the foyer at the bottom of the northwest corner staircase. When she looked out the back door into the evening darkness, she saw the beginning of a dimly lit pathway that led to a location her father called the Happy Place. To this day, Aphra hadn't been able to appreciate the location. It was nothing but some large rocks and tiny caves to her. Even worse, you had to walk on a long, dark path through some creepy woods to reach the Happy Place. She tried reading there a couple of times over the years—while her father was away, because she was rarely allowed to go with him to the Happy Place—and found it displeasing, even depressing. It was no happy place in her eyes. But to each his own. A sudden pang developed inside her stomach as the realization occurred to her that Dr. Sutton only had limited opportunities left to visit the Happy Place. She would never chastise him again for going there.

Aphra looked across the foyer at two sets of large, oak double doors, each leading to the library. Her father typically entered through back doors when returning from the Happy Place. This was his favorite room in the house. Hers too. Looking left, Aphra looked at the other set of doors where most of the fiction was located. This was the door she wished the Book Club could enter tonight for their meeting. She had begged her father to spruce up the library after the meeting at their house last year. He had promised to consider it, but it still was in a terrible state—holes in the plastered ceilings, broken bookshelves, a torn couch, holes in the tapestry, boards replacing a missing window, and a frayed rug that closely resembled a large shop rag. It was a mess. Aphra would be too embarrassed to take them into the library, even though it was her favorite room and would be a natural fit for a Book Club meeting.

But the girls in the club took pleasure in making fun of anything or anyone associated with Aphra. As Aphra turned left, towards the front of the house, she entered a formal dining room—which was so run down that no one in their right mind would dare call it formal. About halfway across the dining room, she began to hear the laughter from the other girls coming from the kitchen. Instead of entering the kitchen, she entered a hidden doorway in the wall used by kitchen servant staff in the not-so-distant past. She stood in the secret kitchen room and listened to the girls.

She's probably putting on layers of makeup to cover up all the ugliness on that face. This was followed by loud cackles.

Her wacko sugar doctor is probably carving up that face to make it look better. More loud laughter. One of the girls possibly spewed some food based upon the subsequent reactions.

No. No. Don't clean it up. That'll probably be what the freak prefers to eat. The room howled with laughter. A few seconds later, Aphra heard the water run. Soon thereafter she heard a small chorus of boos. Then her almost-friend said, Come on. We want to keep getting all these freebies, don't we?

Aphra frowned. She did not care about all the talk about her being ugly or a freak. She had developed thick skin over the years regarding her looks. God made some women beautiful. He gifted other women differently. But she still wished they would not make fun of her. She loved the connection she had with all these book lovers. Maybe her father was right. Maybe it was simply youth that they would outgrow. But based upon some adults she had seen, she was skeptical. No, the reason Aphra frowned was because of Maeve, the one she called her almost-friend. Maeve was a strong-willed and ambitious person who acted like a friend when she was alone with Aphra. There was no doubt that Aphra was in a distant last place on the friendship scale of the Book Club. But Maeve, while still far ahead of Aphra, was very clearly number six. In fact, the only reason Maeve was in the group was because she was great friends with another girl with whom she shared an immoral common interest. It was this immorality, not the fact that Maeve wanted to be a part of this group of popular girls, which prevented Aphra from pursuing a deeper friendship with Maeve. But Maeve was the one girl who would sometimes stick up for Aphra, especially if she perceived the group went too far. Maeve had this knack of also staying in their good graces by joining in on the ridicule of Aphra just enough to remain popular.

Aphra listened a few more minutes then decided she had heard enough. The sooner she got started with the final meeting, the sooner it would end, and she could make her grand announcement. Then they would all take their gifts and leftovers home and be out of her sight so she could get back to her father. Aphra re-entered the formal dining room through the secret servant door and then proceeded to the door leading to the kitchen. She took a deep breath, put on a fake smile, and opened the door, amid cackling that had reached a crescendo. No one noticed her enter. They were too busy making fun of her. Finally, Maeve noticed her, and separated herself from the rest of group and approached Aphra. Maeve said, Hey. It's about time girl. Where have you been?

Narcisse, the snotty ringleader of the group, mumbled, Make up. The group giggled before Aphra interrupted.

Sorry, ladies. I was getting all the details from my father about a special announcement at the end of our meeting tonight.

One of the girls whispered, Sugar doctor gonna carve her up. Before laughter could consume the group again, Maeve raised her voice above the others and said, Come on girls. Let's hear the announcement. Then she turned to Aphra expectantly. Aphra let the giggling fizzle out. She stood in silence a few seconds, enjoying command of the room while she thought of what to tell them. After seeing the leader of the group roll her eyes after a lengthy pause, Aphra spoke. Well, I don't want to spoil it, but I will give you a hint. My book report tonight will offer you a clue to the contents of the announcement. Narcisse huffed and said, Let's get started, please. I told my parents I'd be home at a decent time tonight. Aphra doubted this. It was more likely she wanted to get to another party afterward, probably at one of the cool guys' houses whose parents were out of town or something.

Nonetheless, she looked forward to the final reports of the Book Club. Aphra announced, Grab your seats. Let's get started.

Over two hours later, after Aphra finished her report, Maeve said, Very interesting, Aphra. I'll definitely be reading that book.

Narcisse rolled her eyes and asked, So your special announcement is that we are all going to be sent to pilot school and land our first plane in an opening in a jungle and have to survive?

Maeve got up to get another drink while the rest of the girls laughed at Narcisse's mockery.

Aphra watched her almost-friend leave the group. She was not joining the laughter. This support for Aphra—or lack of support for Narcisse—emboldened Aphra. Shut up and show me some respect Narcisse. My father just told me that he has a terminal illness before I came downstairs. I'm not in the mood to tolerate your rudeness anymore tonight.

Silence filled the air. Aphra stood and paced to calm her heavy breathing. She looked over at Maeve and thought she noticed a faint smile as she continued to drink slowly out of her glass.

After several minutes of awkward silence and girls checking their phones to avoid looking at each other, Aphra sat back down in her seat. I'm sorry for exploding like that. It's been a rough day. Tears were trickling down Aprha's cheeks. Maeve rejoined the group, who put away their phones to look up and listen. My father, she got out before having to stop briefly. The mention of her father took her breath a bit. Aphra noticed Maeve wipe a tear, trying to pretend her eye was simply bothering her. She regained control of her emotions and said, My father has given me permission to make a special announcement tonight. The Book Club will continue for another seven years if you guys are willing. We will meet once each summer to review everyone's books. We will rotate through everyone's houses, just as we have been. During each meeting, each of us will review any book that we read the previous year. My father will provide all food, drinks, and extravagances as he has in the past. Anyone who makes it to all seven meetings will earn themselves a nice bonus: a week-long vacation paid for by my father.

Earlier, Dr. Sutton had told Aphra to announce a continuation of the Book Club beyond high school, which would include even more extravagances. Aphra had mixed feelings about this. She knew these girls were not her true friends—well, certainly five of them; she was still confused where she stood with Maeve, the almost-friend. But, on the other hand, these girls were the closest thing she had to friends. What's the big deal if they all got together because of her father giving them great food and drinks, gift cards, and other expensive surprises? The one thing they all had in common—a love for books. That common love for books made it easy to endure the ridicule thrown at Aphra over the past four years. When the group finally started discussing the books at each meeting, Aphra felt like she was in the room with the six best friends in the world. And now, her father wanted to throw even more money at them. As much as she loved the book discussions, the pettiness and ridicule were becoming frustrating, and she worried she would reach a boiling point. And if that happened, there were a couple of those girls she did not want to think about what they would do to retaliate. When she told her father her concerns, he assured her that it was all youth. It would not last. They would mature and put all the childishness behind them. Then, their common love for books would bring them all together in true friendship. One, he suggested, that might last forever. Aphra was not as certain about his theory.

Aphra looked up to survey the crowd after her big announcement. There was still silence, but the faces were filled with emotions so convoluted Aphra hoped she could recall that image for the rest of her life...part anger from being yelled at, part amazement at the announcement, part sorrow for her dad, and many other things mixed within. Priceless.

After several minutes of silence, Narcisse stood. She looked at each member of the group. None of them looked back at her but stayed glued to their phones. After a big gulp, Narcisse said, I...well, I am sorry about your father. My father committed suicide when I was ten. A few of her cronies halfway looked at their leader at this announcement. And I don't want no pity party from you either Aphra! None of you! He was a jerk for leaving me! Narcisse wiped her eyes. Anyway, just saying. I know the pain. Then she wriggled uncomfortably. But, well, if your father does... She paused. ...you know, die. How do we know you can keep these promises?

Even in a rare touching moment Narcisse must show her selfishness.

The cronies now shifted uncomfortably. Some of them even had red cheeks at this question, which said a lot considering these girls enjoyed making Aphra feel badly. Aphra, however, appeared touched by Narcisse's statement and seemingly overlooked the straightforward question that included her father's potential death. Aphra calmly said, If my father says it will happen, then rest assured it will come to be.

Narcisse stood there, deciding if she should press further, when she heard a lady yelling. It was Claire, the house maid. Aphra, dear. You must get to your father. He is not feeling well. He is asking for you. I will see the girls to the door.

Narcisse stomped her foot as she watched Aphra leave the room with a scared expression on her face. She took a step towards Aphra, to chase her down and get definitive answers, but was grabbed by the house maid. The door is this way dear. Thank you for coming. Don't forget your gifts. Take any food and drinks with you as you wish.

Narcisse relented, but with frustration. She wanted answers. How in the world could someone guarantee that her dying father would provide such extravagances? A week-long trip? Seriously? Where? She had more questions and she wanted answers. This was just like Aphra. Well, if she expected her friends to commit to seven summers in a row, she better provide them details. And if Aphra was just stringing them along, to keep them as friends, then she would see to it that Aphra paid dearly.

2

The Ringleader

College: Summer after Freshman Year

Rain fell in buckets from the gloomy clouds above. It was dark, as if the sun had just settled below the horizon, despite the fact it was early afternoon. Two bright lights moved across a parking lot and stopped near the front door of the funeral home. Aphra stepped out of a vehicle and sloshed up several stairs through the downpour to reach the awning of the front door. Despite the covering, Aphra's lower legs were pelted by the slashing rains caused by heavy wind. She jerked her hand back from the metal handle of the front door as lightning filled the dreary sky with ominous bolts of electricity. This was followed by a boom of thunder. Aphra screamed and quickly jumped inside to escape the storm.

The first person she saw was Narcisse, who, somehow, had perfect hair and dry clothes. She saw the way Narcisse looked her up and down with that irritating smirk on her face. Some of the other girls started to giggle. Maeve stepped out of their group and approached Aphra.

Here, let me help you freshen up. They both entered the restroom.

I see a year of college hasn't done anything for her maturity, said Aphra.

I know. I know. Don't let her get to you, especially today of all days.

Tears streamed down Aphra's face as she looked in the mirror. Mascara ran from her eyes. The hairdo she had spent so much time to get it perfect for her father's funeral was now wet and tangly. The rain had drenched the insides of her shoes.

Here. Take off those shoes and give me your jacket. Aphra kicked her shoes off while Maeve helped her with the jacket. Maeve grabbed them and laid one of the shoes on the counter beneath the hand dryer and pushed the button. She hung the jacket over a coat hook on one of the stall doors and returned to Aphra. Now, your job is to keep pushing the hand dryer button. I'll focus on your hair and makeup. We'll have you looking great in no time.

Aphra half-smiled and said, Thanks for helping. She paused a bit then added, Why are you friends with that girl?

Who, that self-absorbed bully out there? Is that the one you mean?

A snicker crept from Aphra's mouth. Aphra, I've already told you that our parents are friends, so we hung out a lot together growing up. We've been through a lot together. You can't just dismiss that.

But she's evil.

Maeve said, Evil is a pretty strong word to describe her, don't you think? Do you remember how she acted last year when you broke the news about your father?

More tears streamed down Aphra's face at the mention of her father. The hand dryer shut off. Aphra punched the start button a little harder than intended.

I'm so sorry Aphra. I wasn't thinking.

Aphra nodded but could not speak. Maeve continued working on Aphra's hair and asked, What do you think?

Aphra nodded again.

I think you look hot girlfriend! They shared smiles as Maeve snapped her hands like a diva behind Aphra. Now, about those eyes. Let's ditch the mascara. Not a good idea tonight.

Do what you think is best, said Aphra. Aphra only wore makeup on special occasions, so she was no expert when it came to dolling up her face. Maeve pulled her personal makeup from her purse.

Aphra continued to probe into Maeve's friendship with Narcisse. She played nice, genuinely wanting to know the reason why such a nice person like Maeve could be friends with a nasty ringleader like Narcisse. Moments later the hand dryer stopped. Aphra swapped shoes and punched the start button.

Okay. Here's the deal. I think I can trust you, right?

Aphra looked perplexed.

If I tell you a secret, can you keep it?

I promise.

That's good enough for me. I trust you. So, nobody is supposed to know this, but Narcisse was born with a serious infection that attacked her body. She almost died. In the end, she lived. But she didn't come out unscathed. She lost one of her kidneys.

Aphra interrupted, Look, your secret is safe with me, but lots of people lead normal lives with one kidney, Maeve. That's not a good reason to remain friends with her.

"I understand that. Let me finish. As I was going to say, she was very sickly during our younger years. My parents were at their house a lot to