It's been awhile since I've sat down to write some fiction--so I dusted off the old keyboard and just started typing. This is pretty raw in terms of editing, but sometimes you've just got to write and let whatever is in your head out. You can catch up on the previous chapters here: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
"…so why so far away from your family?" I asked. "There's got to be galleries all over the East Coast dying to have your work on their walls. Don't you want to be closer to your siblings?"
"That's what I thought at first. And that's exactly what my relatives all told me. Let's just say they were not supportive of this summer adventure of mine."
He cleared his throat and continued. "But when you live in small town, the last thing you need is to be around the drama and the relatives. And when everyone knows everyone, the last thing I wanted was to be some pity case because my mom died. It sounds harsh, but as an artist, I want to earn my way up the ladder. Does that make sense?"
"Sure," I replied. "I can't really judge you otherwise, seeing as I'm just headed to California because of my crazy mom drama."
"Sounds like we both have family drama in common," he said, chuckling.
"Miss, sir, would either of you two care for some refreshments or pretzels?" The cheery flight attendant, whose nametag read Martha, smiled at the two of us with that same fake smile.
"A coke and pretzels would be great for me," Jeremy replied.
"I'll have ginger ale and pretzels, please," I smiled.
"Sure thing, honey," Martha replied. Jeremy started talking to her about the flight and Martha continued chatting about her work and mini-life story. Something that seemed extremely rehearsed.
After handing us our drinks, Martha sweetly asked, "Are you two going on a vacation together?" She looked from Jeremy to me and then back to Jeremy again.
"Oh no, we're not a couple," I quickly replied. Jeremy smiled at her and she quickly apologized, her cheeks flushing this time.
"My mistake! You two have been chatting away a storm and I guess that saying they say about assuming things is right after all." Martha pushed the cart to the next row of seats and continued down the aisle.
"I should have lied and just said we were a couple," I whispered in his direction.
"Yeah, and then we could tell them that we're both really undercover agents or something, too."
"And maybe, just maybe, it might have wiped that smile right off her face."
Very nice. Thanks for sharing. Maybe we can swamp sometime.
i think that's where i've been lacking some inspiration - i haven't been reading a ton of fiction lately! ha!!
and i'm so excited to read what comes next!
Oh, I JUST started. Normally fiction reading is saved for summer but I've been wanting to read something mindless (aka non-teaching/work related!). Now I just need to keep chugging along on mine!
FINALLY! I love how they chat. I can see them sitting there and feeling so comfortable with each other. I don't know how to describe it, but what I really like is that they talk in this small talk manner, but get to some deep stuff! Does that make sense?
And I looooooved the feedback that you gave me. I never really thought of it like that, but I LOVE how you described their conversations and relationship. This makes me want to write more now!
Well, I totally admire that you get anything done at all. I love words and reading...writing however is just so hard. I think, you need so much discipline. So hope that you have a lot of discipline (and of cours inspiration and time)the next weeks, because I'm so curious! For years and years I trained myself to not read the ending in the beginning (yup, done that for a long time) but here...I just have to wait! So you better hurry! ;) No, I'm just kidding, take your time, the story really has to fit. It just so good!
Haha, I hope I get another burst of inspiration and creativity, too! It definitely comes in spurts but I hope that once the school year wraps up, I'll have a chance to write more (so excited for that!!).