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 187: “I just might get a weekend after all.”
“I just might get a weekend after all.” James went through his Friday night much as he had every other night during the week. He found himself vaguely relieved that he wasn’t expected to attempt to follow a vague half heard conversation, but also somewhat saddened that there was no end of the week event to celebrate the end of a work week.
James shook off the disappointment and after making a few mental notes for Monday’s lunch time conversation, he went to bed at his usual time. The next morning, James awoke a minute before his morning alarm clock. He turned it off, rose and dressed. He checked his newly purchased duffle bag and found everything he needed inside.
Crossing town was still the same early morning quiet it was on weekdays but in the parking lot he found even fewer vehicles. James parked and went through the ritual of arrival and walked back through the gym. There was only one person working out on the machines. The man flicked his eyes to James and then dismissed him as he continued with his weights. James walked on to the dressing room, changed and began his laps.
The residual stiffness faded from his shoulders and back and the water slipped around his moving form. His mind went pleasantly blank as he swam. There were fewer pauses than there were at the beginning of the week and less soreness when the count in his head reached the number of laps he usually reached. Even though his normal time for his morning swim was at an end he pushed on. There was no place he really needed to be. This job did not demand Saturday morning meetings dressed up as golf or brunch or any other social activity. He was not needed at the office and he did not need to clock in o unpack the boxes still waiting for him at the house.
James decided that with no time limit, he would push his body to see just where it felt like stopping. He managed a few more laps, and then like at the beginning of the week he had to stop to let his muscles rest. After a brief rest he completed another couple of laps. James continued the process until he finally had to admit that his body was done.
Even in defeat, he felt victorious. While he couldn’t afford the time on his normal work days, he thought that if he pushed himself on the weekends then he could make more efficient use of his time on the weekdays.
‘At least that is the theory,’ he thought a he hauled himself out of the pool and went to the changing rooms. As he walked over another couple of people drifted into the pool area. Two younger men chatting together as they too headed towards the changing rooms. They went to their lockers while James went to his. As he dried off and changed back into street clothes, they stripped down and dressed for the pool. Their change was quicker and by the time he gathered his things and left the pool area, each of the men had chosen a lane and was swimming laps.
James tried not to envy the easy way they glided through the water. Even though he was making progress, he knew his movements were still rusty. As he stepped into the hall he heard splashing and laughter from the other pool area. He peeked in and saw a children’s swimming lesson in progress on one side of the pool and a spirited game of what looked to be Marco Polo on the other side. The gym too was now occupied. The solidary man with the weights was gone but now most of the machines had an occupant on them.
‘Good to know what time the place gets busy,’ James thought as he walked past, signed out and went on his way. Despite the increased activity at the club, the streets were still mostly quiet as he drove home.
Ten til Midnight 