Authors Interviewing Characters: Grace Helena Walz

PRETTY AS A PEACH

A rising star in Southern fiction, Grace Helena Walz returns with Pretty as a Peach, another story full of charm, sass, wit, and characters you’ll want as friends.

A group of life-long friends. A secretive MLM cosmetics company. Some opportunities cost more than they’re worth.

Delilah Thomas has a stellar track record of avoiding conflict. Her life mantra? Keep the peace. Born to a family she has never fit in, Delilah learned early that no matter what it costs her, it’s best to keep quiet, nod, and agree. Now in her late thirties, she has mastered the art and employs it daily with the preschoolers she teaches.

Then Peach Pit sets up shop in her small hometown and infiltrates every female relationship, including Delilah’s lifelong best-friend group. A direct sales business, Peach Pit claims its beauty products are organic and all-natural and recruits women to become “Darlings” who host parties to sell products to friends and family. Delilah’s friend Betsy is ecstatic to join, drawn by promises of sisterhood and easy income. But something seems off to Delilah.

When customers, including her pregnant friend Eliza, start reporting rashes, Peach Pit refuses to take responsibility. Then Betsy lets an unsettling secret slip, and Delilah can’t hold her tongue any longer.

With the help of her retired neighbor, Mrs. Chopra, and travel journalist Jasper–Delilah’s longtime pen pal and childhood crush, finally in town for a visit–Delilah investigates the company and uncovers the grim truth. She is faced with a choice: Stop pushing and keep the peace, or find her courage and expose Peach Pit’s shady business practices, even if it costs her the unthinkable.

Author: Welcome, Delilah, I’m so glad you agreed to this interview. Come on in and get comfy.

Delilah: Well, of course. I’m not sure why you’d want to interview little old me, but I’m thrilled to oblige! 

A: You are one of the most popular teachers at Pearl Prep Preschool. Tell us a little bit about how you work your magic.

D: Thank you for saying that, but I’m not sure “popular” is the word I’d use to describe myself. I’m nothing special, but I do try to connect with each child, and with the crew I have in my Blissful Bunnies class, it’s easy to make things fun and engaging. They’re just darling.

A: I can tell by that look in your eyes it must be a calling for you.

D: Oh. Um. Well. I’m not sure I’d call it that. In fact, I have a small business that I have grand aspirations for, and—. Sorry. I appreciate Pearl Prep so much. But deep down, I’m not sure it’s where I’m meant to be. You know, in the long run.

A: So in between snack time and the playground you’re dreaming of board rooms and spreadsheets?

D: Definitely not. But you know how it goes here in Pearl: You’re nobody if you’re not hitting it big.

A: You really think what you’re doing here with these children isn’t important? From what I’ve heard around town, parents consider you a life saver.

D: It’s work I love. In a way I never expected, really.

A: You’re a lifetime resident of Pearl. What was it like growing up here? Both of your parents have strong reputations around town.

D: In many ways it was idyllic. We never had to worry about safety, never wanted for anything, but nevertheless, I’m not sure I ever really fit in. My parents are polished and proper and all of the things I’m not. I guess in some ways you have to be okay with a stray splatter of paint and Goldfish crackers slipped in your pocket to be a preschool teacher.

A: It sounds like you turned out just right.

D: The best part of growing up here were the friends I made. Can you believe our original group of five girls is still friends? I have Betsy’s son and Eliza’s son in my class. I had Virginia Kate’s boys last year, and if Sloane ever changes her mind about having children, she’d send hers to me too. I never would’ve dreamed it!

A: It’s unusual to keep a tight-knit group of friends since childhood. How did you avoid the traps of life getting in the way?

D: I think we’re just built differently, like we were meant to be sisters all along, but due to some celestial mix up where we were dropped into different families, and we simply had to take care of it ourselves. We’ve gotten through our fair share of ups and downs. Now, between you and I . . . can we go off-the-record for a moment?

A: If you wish.

D: Okay, great. It’s just I’m dying to talk to someone about this, but I also can’t have it published for everyone around town to see. I would die of mortification if the town saw me as some busybody.

A: You can’t speak to your friends about this? Didn’t you say they were like sisters?

D: Well, yes, of course. But this is sort of about them—and also not about them. Mostly not about them.

A: Just spill the beans.

D: This new multi-level marketing company in town, Peach Pit, with the cosmetics and skin care. Have you heard of them?

A: I’ve not only heard of them, but I’m invited to so many of the parties there’s no way I can make even a fraction of them.

D: I assume they’ve already tried to recruit you?

A: More than once.

D: They’re relentless, aren’t they? I have to tread carefully because Betsy is one of the queen bees over there. I love her, but I just don’t trust the company. Then Virginia Kate got onboarded. They’re trying to pull in Eliza, and I’m desperate to just put a stop to it, but it’s not my place! 

A: If the women—your friends—are happy with it, why is it an issue for you?

D: There’s just something not right about Peach Pit. Not only are the promises they make practically impossible—like reversing aging and erasing women’s woes—but the finances of it just don’t smell right. Sloane agrees with me. I just worry it’s only a matter of time before the rug is pulled out from under them. And then there’s the allergic reaction Eliza had.

A: I’ve heard some rumors about sketchy products.

D: More and more issues are cropping up. People are having awful rashes. And since Eliza’s pregnant she even ended up in the hospital! Worst of all is that there’s no place to report issues, and the consultants, the “Darlings” aren’t able—or perhaps willing—to help either.

A: And your friends are alright with this?

D: Things have been tense between Betsy and me, a fact that makes my skin crawl, but I haven’t been able to let it go. Usually I’m even better at letting things go for the sake of keeping the peace than I am at wrangling the toddlers in class. But something about this is throwing me for a loop.

A: So, what are you going to do about it?

D: I have to keep digging. I might not like what I find, but there isn’t any other choice. My retiree neighbor, Mrs. Chopra and Jasper have agreed to help. But I’ll make sure we don’t upset the girls. Betsy might not be happy about me digging into Peach Pit, but we’ve been through worse. We’ll get through it just fine. I hope.

A: This Jasper, is he your boyfriend?

D: We’re still off the record, right?

A: Eventually I’ll need something on the record, something to submit to my editor, but yes, this can be off the record. 

D: Honest to goodness truth? I wish Jasper was my boyfriend. But he’s a travel journalist. One week he’s in Morrocco, the next he’s in Alaska. If we was ever to settle down, it wouldn’t be in Pearl.

A: But he’s here now?

D: For the first time! I’m not sure why now of all times, but it’s serendipitous that he can help me light a fire under Peach Pit. I’m just enjoying the time with him.

A: Pen pals to lovers would be adorable if it ever worked out.

D: You’re telling me.

A: Alright, well we’re just about out of time, but I need more to give to my editor, something on the record.

D: The farmer’s market! My small business is called Bubbles & Suds, a handmade soap company made with all natural and organic ingredients. I’m there every Saturday morning in season and would love to see folks stop by. One day we’ll be far too big for the little Pearl Farmer’s Market, so come see us while we’re here.

A: There’s no doubt you’re headed places, Delilah. Board rooms or not. I want to thank you so much for your time.

D: Same to you. And as a little token of Southern hospitality I brought you a sampler of my soaps. Please reach out any time or if you think of any new questions. I’m always happy to help!

BUY PRETTY AS A PEACH HERE

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Grace Helena Walz is a former (forever) social worker with a passion for heartfelt, down to earth stories. She resides outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two children. She writes in the moments between covering scraped knees in bandaids and chauffering carpool.

Find out more about Grace on her website. https://www.gracehelenawalz.com/about

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing