Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman Read Free Book Online Page A

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    “One of the great things about a retreat is leaving everything behind,” Kris said in a pointed manner. “Let’s all put away our cell phones.” She demonstrated by picking up Edie’s and making the screen go dark. “I want you all to just focus on being here and immerse yourself in the wonderful weekend we have planned.” She nodded toward me to indicate I was part of the
we
.
    “Let’s get started,” she said.
    “But we don’t have anything to work with,” Lucinda said. “The instructions said we didn’t need to bring anything.”
    “Well, I have something,” Bree said, dropping a blue tote bag that said
Serrania Elementary School
on the table. She began to pull out some yellow yarn and a couple of needles so long they looked like fencing foils.
    Olivia began to fumble through her purse. “I have something, too. I always carry a little project just in case.” As she pulled out a plastic bag with multicolored yarn and the same kind of silvery double-ended needles I’d seen at my aunt’s, a pill bottle came with it and rolled across the table. The ever-eager Edie grabbed it before it went off the table. She read the label.
    “Sleeping pills? You won’t need those here. The sound of the waves will lull you to sleep. Just open your window and—”
    “My sleeping issues are none of your business,” Olivia said, snatching the bottle back and putting it in her bag.
    I watched all this thinking I should do something. Joan would have stepped in and said something funny to break the tension. All I could do was glance at the door and think about making a hasty exit. But Kris had made me promise to stay through this first session.
    “I said not to bring anything, because I have everything you need,” Kris said, opening the plastic bin Gwen Selwyn had dropped off. She took out a tomato red tote with
Petit Retreat Three
on it in yellow letters. I was relieved that she’d found them. In all the fussing, I’d forgotten to point them out.
    Edie’s eyes lit up. “This is it, you guys. Wait until you see what Kris has for you. She’s a genius at this.” Edie started to ramble on about some kind of special yarn and circular needles, whatever they were, and the first Petit Retreat. Kris put her fingers to her lips in the universal shush gesture.
    “Edie, you’re absolutely my best cheerleader, but you’re going to ruin the surprise,” Kris said in a friendly voice. “First, let me explain my philosophy of a retreat. I believe it’s the time to push the envelope, broaden your horizons and overcome obstacles.” She picked up a tote bag and handed it to Bree. “You all filled out questionnaires when you signed up for the weekend. They were passed on to me. That’s how I know that Bree is most comfortable being part of a group.” Kris urged her to look inside her tote bag.
    Bree began to unload the contents onto the table. She stopped when she got to two balls of yarn. I had never seen anything like them. Each was multicolored and not the usual fuzzy texture that I thought of as yarn.
    “They’re made from recycled saris,” Kris said. “No two skeins are the same. The scarf you make is going to be unique. No one in the world will have another exactly like it.”
    Bree didn’t seem pleased with the prospect. “Then we’re all going to be making scarves out of this, this sari stuff?”
    “No,” Kris said. “Only you.”
    “But the Ewes always make the same project together. How will I know if I’m doing it the right way?” Bree sounded a little frantic.
    “Don’t you see that’s exactly why Kris gave you the yarn she did?” Edie said. “You need to break out of the conformist box you’re in.”
    Kris threw Edie a pointed look. “I wouldn’t have said it quite that way. Bree needs to experience her individuality.” She picked up another of the tote bags and handed it to Olivia.
    “I didn’t fill out any questionnaire,” Olivia said, checking the contents. She extracted an