The Sarah Addison Allen Fan Group discussion

In Chapter 3 of GARDEN SPELLS, we learn more about Evanelle's gift -- the gift of anticipation. From the time Evanelle "was a little girl, she brought her mother dishcloths before the milk was spilled, she closed the windows before there was even a hint of a storm, and she gave the preacher a cough drop before he had a coughing spell during the sermon." When she met her husband, she gave him a rock that he later used to tap on her window. The next time she felt the need to give him something, it was a new suit -- the first thing she had needed to give him in their 38 years of marriage. He was buried in it the next week.

We also learn that Bay possibly has a Waverley gift: she always seems to know where things belong. She knows where to find and put away things in Claire's kitchen, and she tells Claire and Sydney that she knows Tyler belongs in the Waverley house.

For both Evanelle and Bay, their Waverley gifts are bittersweet. Evanelle never knows why someone needs something, she just knows she has to give it to them. When she wants to help, like she wants to help Frank, she can't -- the urge comes randomly, she can't control it. When she gives a gift like her husband's new suit, she wonders what would have happened if she had never given it. "She tried not to think too hard about her gift, because then she would think about how frustrating it was not to know why people needed the things. Sometimes at night when her house felt particularly empty, she still wondered what would have happened if she hadn't bought her husband that suit."

It also must be frustrating for Bay, who knows where things belong, to see things out of place -- especially when it comes to her loved ones. She sees that Tyler belongs in the Waverley house, but Claire is resistant to spending any time with him. Did she know that she didn't belong in Seattle? Did she see that her mother didn't belong with her father? I can only imagine how uncomfortable that must be, especially for a child.

Something in Chapter 3 always makes me a little teary. Evanelle and Sydney are seeing each other for the first time since Sydney left Bascom. They are sitting quietly on the porch when Evanelle says: "'It's not an easy thing to do, ask for help. You were brave to come here. I'm proud of you.'
Sydney met the old woman's eyes, and knew that she knew." (I'm proud of you, too, Sydney.)

In Chapter 4, we meet Emma Clark and Hunter John Matteson, and get their backstory with Sydney. Sydney and Hunter John were first-loves, but Emma wiggled her way in after high school graduation. Now that Sydney's back, Emma is insecure about where she stands with Hunter John. And speaking of wiggling in: Tyler, who has been pining over Claire, informs her of his intentions to stick around. Claire sets her mind to force him out of the picture (maybe with some specific magical Waverley dishes?) even though it seems that she may like having him around... regardless, Claire will be cooking up a storm for the Matteson's upcoming party, which she is catering next week with Sydney.

I always feel bad for Emma. We all have insecurities, but the real question for her shouldn't be if Hunter John loves her, but does she really love him? She never really even chose to be with him, it was just expected. And all that terrible advice from her mother isn't helping.

I love how Tyler shows Claire he likes her. He is so patient in his affections.

I never thought that deep abot Bay's gift. Well, wether or not she knew they didn't belong, she had to have known about the physical abuse her mom was suffering, that is hard enough. Knowing they didn't belong may actually have brought comfort.

Yesterday, I composed a comment for this discussion, but today it's not here, so maybe I never actually posted it. Figures. Those were the best thoughts I'll ever have ;-) Here goes with another try.

Like Angie, I have some doubts about Emma's self worth. Allowing others, her mother in particular, to dictate her behavior and destination (marriage to Hunter John) is telling. The fact that she could doubt Hunter John's love after the life they've had together speaks volumes about how little real confidence she has in her own value.

Bay seems to have, on the other hand, an innate ability to see beyond even what her gift allows. She will heal, though she will never forget. Not once does she see her dad as belonging, and though she doesn't really love him, she also seems to understand that he has no place. She probably did know that she and her mother didn't belong in Seattle, and that may be why she was able to be so cooperative when it was time to leave. She knew. A story of Bay's future would be fantastic if it isn't included in First Frost. Bay's character has so much potential.

As for Evanelle, she's lived through so much that she's finally comfortable in her own skin and with her own gift in spite of the loose ends it leaves for her. She's made peace with it and understands how it can disappoint. Of course, she still misses the love of her life, but I think that despite her wondering, she knows that life is what happens and what one makes of it. Not that she isn't lonely, but that she accepts that as a part of her journey. She strikes me as a very wise woman. Her interactions with all the others delight me. She delights me.

Tyler is wondermous. Yes, that's a combination word ;-) I love him. He's good with all the ladies, and he knows exactly what he wants. (Now, if this book becomes a movie, who is right for his role?!?) His genuine caring for Bay when she and Sidney visit is one of the many attributes that cause me to adore the (fictional) man.

Gosh, this book is soooo good!