More than the Sum by Fran Riedemann Read Free Book Online Page A

panic attack, she decided a change of clothes was called for.  When in doubt change clothes three times, s he thought, thinking that idea could be a good topic for an article in her magazine. For some reason, the process of reexamining her wardrobe always boosted her confidence.
    When she stepped inside the Stone’s living room Gloria walked up to her, offering her right hand and saying, “I am so very pleased to meet you, Brittany. The Stones were certain I would love you on sight and they were right.  I would have felt terrible if you stayed home because of me!”
    Any reservations on Brittany’s part vanished. She couldn’t help but like her, relaxing immediately. It was going to be a nice evening, and a much needed night out.
    Gloria had dark brown eyes that sparkled with amber flecks, surrounded by lush, long lashes. Her almost black hair was pulled back from her petite, oval face and while she was tiny in stature, she had an irresistible presence, and a boatload of style.  Brittany decided an evening out with friends was just what the doctor ordered.
    The dinner was simple but delicious. Jeanne was a fabulous cook, and even the simplest fare always included one spice or distinguishing ingredient that made her guests inquire what her secret was; tonight was no exception. They dined on strip steaks, twice-baked potatoes, and grilled asparagus topped with a hollandaise sauce that Brittany wanted to lick off her plate. What made the hollandaise different, Jeanne told her later, was that she added tarragon. It was a groaning-good dinner.
    After dinner the foursome settled in the sectional in the living room to enjoy the fire blazing in the fireplace brownies that were layered with York Peppermint Patties and topped with a generous scoop of peppermint ice cream.
    The dinner conversation had, for the most part, been centered on Gloria’s seminars and her busy schedule going forward.  For Brittany’s benefit, she explained what attending one of them would be like. Gloria was the main event, teaching and singing at each event.  Brittany could see what an effective speaker she would be; her joy of life was contagious.  But, she soon found out that the Gloria, who was sitting across from her now, was very different from the Gloria of a couple decades ago.
    It took little urging for Gloria to open up about, as she described it, her “past life”.  She explained how she quit college after two years to become a flight attendant, and had cast aside every red flag that presented itself to caution her about what she was getting into.  But, because several of her sorority sisters had already crossed over the lineand romanticized the lifestyle, she wanted it, too.  She flew for eleven years both domestically and internationally.
    Without any embellishment, she explained how in the blink of an eye she had traded away her very conservative and Christian moral code to participate wholeheartedly in a lifestyle that was rife with every kind of compromise she had been raised to be horrified by.  She said how thankful she was for Christian parents and grandparents who, she now realized, prayed her through it. 
    Then, while on a layover in Denver, two of her flying buddies invited her to go with them to a Billy Graham crusade. She walked away from the event a believer in Jesus Christ.  “I grew up in a Christian family, and believed I was a Christian, but it was never personal for me. I now know that is why it was so easy for me to fall away with so little conviction.
    “ When I look back on that night, I know my being at that meeting was arranged by God.  Neither of the girls who suggested we go went forward, or ever mentioned it to me again, but they were who got me there. I’m not sure that any of us knew exactly what it was we were going to, and I never would have gone on my own.  Believe it or not, at the time I had no idea who Billy Graham was, but when he said for us to, “get up out of your seats”, I literally