In this chapter Ginny makes that long anticipated trip back to the scene of that hard earned old glamorous life. Her family was gone and her body broken that December night. After recovering physically she took her broken mind and heart far, far away. As chapter 9 happens she flies back to the place of so many starts and one terrible finish. On arriving back how was she? Mended? Partially. Mending? Absolutely.
As Steel winds us through Ginny’s return she continues to mold our view of these sisters. Ginny is struck at the manner in which Becky’s life has stayed the course while her own has strayed the course. The mending Ginny seems satisfied with things as they are coming about, but my how difficult the pathway has been.
As Ginny’s mind and soul has been mending it has taken on new shapes. Her scars have made her something new. Now she looks at things material things, people things with a far different eye. Compassion and kindness and a desire to help has grown up and become effective. She wants to really give others the chance that may help them forward even if it is temporary. It hurts when we are dragged over stones in the road of life. Blue is one of those. People in the refugee camps are those. Becky has some difficulties, but they seem to pale in comparison to the homeless and the refugee.
How we connect with these characters goes to the heart of this series I am writing. Connections happen as a novel strums our nostalgias. I cheer for Ginny wanting her to do well. I recognize Blue’s tough life and am pleased he seems to be sticking to some of the things that will help him. I hope Becky will come around, but I don’t know what Steel will do with her. So, is this a good book? I am willing to say that it is. In my mental repertoire I will always associate Blue’s life with homeless that I see. I am not sure how or whether it will mold my reactions to those with a disadvantaged lifestyle, but thoughts of him will enter. Thoughts of Ginny will enter.
So many around us have parts of our lives that are broken. Becky is dismissive of them. I don’t want to be.
Other entries in this series
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