Lamb, Cathy: Julia’s Chocolates

Julia Bennett is not a happy bride. She is driving away from her wedding as fast as she can. Her wedding dress is hanging from a tree somewhere in South Dakota, soiled from the dirt she stomped into it. No more snobby Boston almost in-laws. No more abusive almost husband. Julia just can’t do it. She just hopes that her chocolate stash holds out. Will Julia’s Aunt Lydia shelter her as she always has? Robert doesn’t know about Aunt Lydia. No one knows about Aunt Lydia except Julia’s mother, who is off somewhere with her current boyfriend. Heaven only knows where, so it’s for sure Robert won’t.

Thank heavens for Aunt Lydia. When the yard full of statues including three pigs named after men Aunt Lydia has a grudge against, including her gentleman friend, Stash (he beat her at poker once) comes thankfully into view, Julia feels the tension build again. What if Aunt Lydia doesn’t want her? Aunt Lydia, with her huge yellow farmhouse and eclectic lifestyle bring Julia the rest and relaxation she must have to survive. Her arms are open wide and Julia is folded once again into Aunt Lydia’s world.

Tonight is Physic Night with Aunt Lydia’s three best friends. Once a week they meet to discuss their lives, women’s issues, and whatever else they like, then they top the evening off with a Physic Reading by Caroline and a glass of wine and dessert. Tonight’s topic is Women’s Breasts. Oh, my God. Julia is appalled. Her breasts have been an issue since she was twelve when she went from a training bra to size 34 D within one summer. How can she display and discuss her breasts with three strangers including the minister’s wife. Julia needs major CHOCOLATE for tonight.

Aunt Lydia’s friends have found a new love for their lives, Julia’s Chocolates. They are divine and gain a life of their own over the summer. They turn up at parties, church events, funeral receptions and fi nally the local fair. Her new friends have also found a new love for Julia.

I thoroughly enjoyed JULIA’S CHOCOLATES. It made me happy for her success. It made me sad for what she had been through with both her family life and her boyfriend. It made me fulfi lled to see her life turn around. Not everyone will see the humor in this story but everyone will see the love.