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 168: There were even trees planted for shade along its length so she wouldn’t melt should the sun come out fully before she returned home.
There were even trees planted for shade along its length so she wouldn’t melt should the sun come out fully before she returned home. Gwen paced herself as she ran, her breath strong and even. It felt good to run along the river. The heat was starting to rise with the sun and the overhead leaves provided cool spots that flitted along her skin. She enjoyed the feeling of sun and shade mixing.
Usually she studied the river when she ran liking the swirl of water and the slow moving boat traffic. It seemed as though there was always someone on the river. Today was no exception and for a time she watched the boats, but today Gwen found her gaze drawn to the streetside of the trail. She looked at Westport as she ran. As it was early, most of the buildings she passed, whether they were shops or houses, were still shuttered against the night. She imagined people were just beginning to wake up.
As this run took her past many of the houses of people she knew she tried to think of them rising and starting their days. Was Tom still working his parttime job at the pharmacy or had he gone full time? Or was he doing something completely different? Had Rachel left for her trip to France yet or was she just coming back? Gwen tried to remember the plans of others and what they entailed.
She smiled to herself. It felt good to think about others and their plans for a bit. She was so wrapped up in her own life that she felt like the center of the universe. It was good to feel like just one of the stars instead of the sun. ‘I’ll make some calls later after checking to see what’s posted.’
Gwen reached the far end of her run and turned back. Now traffic was starting to move in town. People were not only waking up and starting their mornings but they were leaving their houses. Gwen watched the cars and then switched to watching the boats again. By the time she got back to her street, she was sweaty and feeling good about getting her morning run in before she started packing up.
Her mind was already on breakfast and the stack of folded boxes in the living room when she approached the house. Gwen slowed her pace as she saw someone standing on her doorstep. She went from a run to a walk. As she did she identified Lisa standing on her doorstep. She had A white bag from the local bakery in one hand and was scowling at the door as her other hand leaned on the bell.
“I know you got in last night,” she called up to the house. “So I know you are home.”
“Actually, I’m not,” Gwen said. Lisa jumped and turned.
Ten til Midnight 