The Fifteen Minute Novel is a novel written fifteen minutes at a time with each week day’s section starting with the sentence from the previous day. At least it is attempting to be a novel. For now I am just aiming at one continuous story, worked on for fifteen minutes each day. Started Friday January 1st, 2021 (in case you want to search for the beginning. I can’t wait to see where it ends up. It could be good, or it could be a mess. We’ll have to see. For now, here is today’s fifteen minutes.
Day 17: As he invited Carson in, James realized just how hungry he really was.
As he invited Carson in, James realized just how hungry he really was. The scent of the pastries teased his senses and James tried to remember the last time he ate. He remembered giving his last testimony and being told that lunch would be before his flight. He then remembered being hustled from his testimony to the flight with no stop between. He had the sense something was amiss, but he was uncertain what and the nerves in his belly twisted his guts during the short trip to the airport. He doubted he would have been able to keep anything down. There was no inflight meal and he went from the airport to the office to this apartment with no stops as well.
“I hope you like cinnamon rolls,” Carson said. His voice lilted up as though it was an actual question.
James nodded. “I do like them,” he replied.
Carson looked relieved. “There is a bakery on fifth. Everything there is made from scratch fresh each day.” He walked to the kitchen and looked around realizing there were no plates in the cabinets.
“We’ll have to get some paper ones as well as groceries then,” Carson said as he placed the bag from the bakery on the table and set the cardboard carrier holding the two coffee mugs down. James followed him into the kitchen. “Carson pulled out one of the cups and handed it to him as James sat back down in the chair he so recently vacated. His cell phone was out on the table.
Carson eyed it as he walked to the second and only other chair in the small kitchen. “I didn’t know how you liked your coffee, so I just fixed it like I like mine.”
James nodded and took a cautions sip. There was far too much sugar in the brew for his liking but he nodded , swallowed his sip and looked to Carson. “It’s fine. So the bakery is on fifth?”
Taking the hint, Carson opened the bag and took out a layer of napkins. He used them as plates setting one large cinnamon roll on each of the napkins. James bit into his and found the soft yeasty dough tender and moist, laden with cinnamon and other spices as well as a sweet and tangy cream cheese icing. His belly threatened to climb up his throat and snatch the morsel from his teeth. He hastily swallowed the bite and felt the urgency of his stomach ease.
“Excellent. I will certainly have to stop by to check them out,” James said.
“They are my favorite,” Carson replied. Again his eyes dropped to the phone. “Calling someone?” he asked. His voice was forced casual and James suspected Carson was not wone of life’s natural poker players.
“I was making a list of things I needed to pick up since I had no paper and pen.” James clarified to his nervous agent.
Carson instantly looked relieved. “Do you mind if I take a look?”
James pulled up the list ant handed the phone to Carson while he finished his cinnamon roll. The treat calmed his belly although James knew that lunch would most likely be early and heavy.
Carson scrolled through the list James made and nodded at it as James sipped his coffee. “I can easily take you to find most of these things before we settle in and talk about your job prospects. While your bank accounts have already been transferred to your new accounts, I’m afraid there was a delay in shipping your belongings?”
“A delay?” James asked.
“Yes, there were complications,” Carson admitted.
Ten til Midnight 