Welcome to the Fifteen Minute Novel. Each morning I spend fifteen minutes writing on a singular story line. Each morning starts with the last line of the previous day. The goal is to get a (very) rough draft out of the simple story idea and to avoid letting the story idea languish in limbo forever, actually writing it out. This is the third year I have done this writing experiment and each year I learn just a little bit about myself and the way I write as well as creating a framework for the story. But without further ado…
Day 79: “So I’m not a hopeless case?” Gwen asked with a smile.
“So I’m not a hopeless case?” Gwen asked with a smile.
“I don’t think you are a hopeless case at all,” George said. “But I do know if you dwell on the big picture and the plan you can’t yet see too much then you will strain your brain and not be able to see anything at all. I think it would be best if you think of a few things you would like to try , just because you want to try them and see what happens. Give your mind a rest and let it sort itself out.”
Gwen nodded slowly. George’s words made sense. Thus far she had been thinking really hard about her plan for the rest of her life. All it had given her was a list of foods she could now eat without having the two people she spent the most time with making icky faces at her and a bad dream about a strange game show.
“It would be nice to not think about planning for a while,” she admitted. Gwen wondered if it would feel as good as putting Lisa and Toby on block.
Sebastian pulled the car up to the apartment and she and her grandfather got out, wishing Sebastian a good night. He pulled away and merged back into traffic.
“So does he work for you or is it part of a car service?” Gwen couldn’t resist asking.
George smiled. “Sebastian works for a car service, but we always work with him when possible. I don’t like the thought of different drivers I don’t know. When I get into a strange car I want to know who is behind the wheel. Contracting with the car service to take us where we want to go means we don’t have to maintain a vehicle. And most places we want to go are scheduled events. Beyond that we do call for taxis now and again. I just prefer Sebastian.”
Gwen nodded, glad to have that cleared up. “That makes sense,” she said.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “If what you want to try is out of the area, we can arrange transportation for you as well.”
Gwen nodded even though that thought hadn’t occurred to her. She had seen quite a few busses and taxis not to mention all sorts of ride share signs on vehicles and wasn’t worried about getting somewhere if necessary. ‘Just about finding my way back,’ she thought as they got into the elevator. She looked at the streets around the apartment on the map but was still trying to learn the area.
‘At least I am pretty sure I can recognize the apartment building.’
They rose to their floor and got out. Her grandfather unlocked the apartment door and they went in. Delicious scents wafted out and Gwen found her mouth watering in anticipation. They walked in and Margaret looked up. She was sitting on the couch reading. On the kitchen table Gwen could see bags from a take out restaurant.
“That was very good timing,” she said as she stood and walked over to them. She kissed George in welcome and smiled at Gwen. “Dinner just arrived a moment ago. I thought we’d try something that Gwen might not have tried before.”
Gwen looked back to the bags on the kitchen table.
Ten til Midnight 