“It did. Now I just claim age.” She drew her counted cross-stitch out of the bag. “Found this in a box in a closet. Who knows when I started it.”

“Ginny, I heard you had some plant starts needing a garden.”

Roxie watched her friend struggle. “I did. Let me check when I get home and call you.”

“I know several others who want to come to this group but couldn’t make it this week,” Josie said.

“When I was deciding on which project…” one lady said, “I realized how much yarn I have stashed away. Maybe we could do a yarn swap or something. Or if any of you know who could use more yarn.”

“The women over at St. Paul’s are knitting and crocheting baby blankets or blankets for the less fortunate. You can drop yarn off there anytime.”

“Thank you. I wonder how many garbage bags I could fill.”

The others snickered.

“My daughter said my fabric stash is out of control. I’ve sworn off fabric stores,” Maxine averred.

“Are you going through withdrawal?” Josie snickered.

“I think so. I drive faster when I see a fabric store. The other way, I mean.”

When the clock neared noon, they put their things away.

Maxine commented, “You know the evening group is meeting twice a month; what about this one?”

“I’m sure they will let us use a room here more often. I’ll check and let you know.” MJ nodded. “Thanks.”

Later, when they were leaving the room, Roxie murmured to Ginny, “The first time for anything is always the hardest. Good for you for coming.”

Ginny nodded and blinked fast several times. “Thanks. Not sure if I am happy with Amalia or not, but she can be mighty persuasive when she tries.”

Amalia giggled. “I twisted her arm, gently, of course. I wouldn’t want to leave a bruise.”

MJ asked, “How about the four of us go have lunch?”

“I—I…” Ginny was shaking her head.

“Good idea.” Amalia stepped in. “A chicken Caesar salad sounds good to me so how about the Ritz Café?” She leaned closer to Ginny. “Then we’ll go back to your house and I won’t bother you until supper.”

“Promise?”

She nodded. “I promise. Unless, of course, you need to show me how I can help out in the greenhouse. With all the work you’ve put in out there, I hate to see the plants die from neglect.”

“What if I cry? Seems that’s all I do.”

Roxie assured her, “Never fear, you are with your friends who love you, crying or not.”

The Ritz was nearly full, but they found a table in a fairly quiet corner. Service there, as always, was excellent.