Saturday Night Silliness -- Random Musings of a Writer Lady and Her Cat.

I opened my eyes and looked at Phoebe. “Feel better?” I asked. The eight year old nodded then reached out and hugged me. “I’m sorry you didn’t get your wish.” She said. “Whoever is in charge of Christmas wishes was wrong when he didn’t give you yours.” I hugged her back. “If I had gotten my wish you might not be getting yours.” I whispered into Phoebe’s ear. “I’d much rather see you get your wish.” She whispered back. “I think we’re both going to love my wish.” Returning to our original positions we hugged pillows, chatting like girlfriends. “How many days do we have left before Christmas?” I asked. Time was spent calculating the answer on fingers, a calendar was checked to verify her answer as well. It was determined there were seven days left. I was a little over two-thirds of the way done with the book. If I remained diligent I could join Lisa and Phoebe’s Christmas movie fest on the final five nights before Christmas and visit the ice rink at least once

  McKinley didn’t have much to say after that. Who would. After a time, I heard him say, “tired?”  I must have nodded off because when I opened my eyes he was standing over me. His hand reaching out for my mug which was tilting at a precarious angle. I lowered the handle to level the mug, then relinquished it to him. “There’s a bedroom at the end of the hall with fresh sheets on the bed. The bathroom is next to it.” He said. I nodded and stopped mid yawn when I realized what that meant. “What about you?” I asked. McKinley inclined his head in the direction of the sofa. “You’re on my bed.” “This is your place. You should take the master bedroom.” “You’re the guest and this couch is a lot less comfortable at three in the morning.” “But…” “Go.” He ordered. My mind felt like arguing but my body won out. I stood and headed down the hall making a mental note. His habit of ordering me around was going to be addressed ASAP. Once I was in bed and under th

  Things had grown quiet. It was going to be a very long night if we didn’t talk. “How did you know something was wrong?” I asked. “I was the one who took Lisa and Phoebe home. The first thing Phoebe did when we got inside was run upstairs to your room to tell you about the big snow storm that was coming. By the time Lisa and I reached the house she was standing in the entry waiting to tell us you weren’t home. Lisa’s phone pinged a few seconds later, it was your text message telling her…” “...telling her I was on my way to pick them up and asking them to stay put.” “Lisa sent several texts to your phone, I called around and found out you had been in town and stopped by the coffee house. When there was no sign of you after an hour, I came looking for you.” “Thank you.” McKinley might have muttered something that sounded like “You’re welcome.” I couldn’t tell. Having trouble deciding where to go next with the conversation I let things fall silent for a bi

The emotionally draining day of writing and the excitement of the storm must have caught up with me. I found my thoughts drifting. I was not asleep but not fully awake either. My mind wandered over the events of recent weeks. The end of the book tour, from remarks of strangers that seemed odd to my creativity coming to a standstill. “My mother would be disappointed.” I whispered. Who was the man who spoke those words in the bookstore? How did he know my mother? There was something about his eyes. The tone of his voice felt oddly familiar. Like once upon a time, before I was old enough to memorize anything specific that voice or one like it was there. I decided it was time to call the agency I used from time to time not to do the fact checking on agents, lawyers, and publicists that I have requested in the past. It was time to do something I told myself I would never do. Run a background check on family. More specifically my mother. It was time to find out who the ma

“ Is there something I need to know?” Lisa asked. “ I’m not sure now is the right time to discuss it.” Lisa reached into her purse. “I know what it is a good time for. One of those dark chocolate mint brownies. Would you please go and get each of us one?” She asked Phoebe handing her some money. “Thank you sweetie.” Lisa pounced the moment we were alone. “Spill.” “ I don’t like him.” I said. “ Seriously? Mac is one of the nicest men I’ve ever spoken to.” “ Of course he’s nice to you. All men are. You’re gorgeous.” “ You’re beautiful too and a successful novelist to boot.” I looked over at the counter to make sure Phoebe was still waiting in line. “I have found him to be rude, bossy, and obnoxious.” Lisa looked confused. “ Mr. McKinley or Mac, as you call him, showed up the morning after I arrived, physically pulled me into the house without identifying himself and proceeded to steamroll me with orders on how to live in the wild. He’s a dick.” Lisa bur