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 178: “His father was not happy that he broke up with you.” Carly said.
“His father was not happy that he broke up with you.” Carly said.
“Why would his father care?” Gwen asked. She frowned. Toby’s father had always been polite to her but nothing more.
“Word is he was counting on you to keep Toby from ruining the business when he passed it over. He figured you’d be competent even if Toby wasn’t.” Carley said. “He didn’t think Lisa was up to the challenge.”
Gwen felt a flash of anger. It burned away her confusion. ‘It seemed Toby’s father wanted to use her to keep Toby from foundering in much the same way Lisa wanted to keep her around to make sure her life ran smoothly.
“Well I guess he’ll just have to hope Toby is up to the challenge,” Gwen said. Michael smiled and Carly rolled her eyes.
Gwen tried to dismiss Toby as she tried to enjoy the rest of the evening. The information about Toby’s father still grated on her even though she tried not to think about it. Several times in the evening Toby tried to get her attention. Gwen ignored him and when Michael and Carley were ready to go, Gwen was more than willing to leave. She had a slight headache brewing and much of her enjoyment in the evening dimmed.
‘But at least I have plans with friends while I am home.’ She thought. During the evening she managed to plan a few meet up times with friends so she couldn’t consider it a complete waste. ‘And I’m sure my headache will go away soon.’
By the time she followed Michael and Carley to the door, the group was already breaking up so they weren’t the only ones leaving. Gwen felt good about not dragging the others away since everyone else was ready to leave as well. In the parking lot Gwen could feel Toby watching her. She shrugged it off and got into the car with Michael and Carley.
“He really doesn’t take a hint does he?” Carley said as Michael pulled out of the small parking lot, maneuvering carefully around other parked vehicles in the tight space.
“Not really,” Gwen said. “But neither did Lisa,” Gwen confessed. “She showed up today thinking it would all go back to the way it was since she and Toby broke up. She still wanted to share an apartment.”
“Oh my god no?” Carly said. Laughter and shock mingled in her voice and she turned around in her seat to look at Gwen. “You aren’t serious?”
“I am,” Gwen said.
“What did she say to you not even staying in Westport?” Michael asked.
“I don’t think it fully percolated,” Gwen said. “She somehow thought I was just getting a different apartment or something. I’m not entirely sure she was listening to me.”
“Wow,” Carley said. “Just wow.”
Gwen felt some of her headache lifting as her surprise and annoyance was shared by the others. The drive to her house was a short one and when they pulled into the drive Gwen thanked Michael for the lift him and promised to meet up with Carley for a movie they both wanted to see later in the week.
Michael waited until she reached the door, unlocked it and went inside before pulling back out of the drive which Gwen appreciated. She let herself into the dark house and made sure that everything was locked behind her and the alarm was set for the night.
House secured, Gwen went up to her room. The day was starting to catch up with her and as she stared at her bed, she regretted her plan to place everything she was taking on top of it.
‘At least the floor is clear,’ she thought. She began moving her things from the bed to the floor, clearing a spot for her to sleep.
Ten til Midnight 