Erased, a novel
Chapter 19- Interdependence
Ketly- There was no way I would give up my independence as a writer, even under the best circumstances. Over the years I've come to realize that writing is a freedom being under contract tends to erase. It's the difference in the breath and step of a first book and the second; the difference between the book you write then shop, and the book you write after you've shopped. Jeff had done a good job at buying us some freedoms, but the columns I write is where I really get a good taste of my independence; where I get to share my ideas and not just tell a story. After all everyone has a story, and that was just what I was after. I'd stumbled on a minor article in one of my Writers' monthlies titled, Son. To my surprise it was about the quiet rivalry between father and son companies Ample Publishing and Simpleton and Fisher. The news had taken me from stretched across the sofa to upright, and with my face right up to the screen of my computer. Sam had not mentioned any of it. The report seemed to have been set off by a number of new contracts we'd secured. One with a southern writer with a literary voice from yesteryear, and another, some big shot Jeff knew from the west coast. The writer didn't appear very neutral, and called Ample a new kind of apple. It hadn't taken me but a few seconds to open a new window and start trying to get the scoop on "father". All I could find was a cold-scripted biography, but nothing on the breakaway or rivalry. Still it felt like it was worth keeping an eye on, and my mind landed on Reece. She's always so quiet, and behind her eyes, something mysterious. She smiles and blushes, but there's something unnatural about it all; just like there's something unnatural about leaving such a big part of your history behind.
I'd planned a dinner at the house a few weeks ago. Nothing big. Sam invited Reece as I had expected, and I did my best to befriend her. It was just the four of us. I hadn't bothered to mention the article to Jeff, although I knew he'd be ecstatic. Instead I thought Reece and I should get to know each other independent of the guys. Especially since dinner had gone so well, and a couple of times we had actually branched off into our own conversation, and her concentration on Sam had wavered. Both times it had been a simple compliment that did it, and by the end of the night we were leaving each other with humble kisses on the cheek rather than the usual smile and nod. We'd also exchanged numbers, and I'd shot her a text a few days ago to do lunch. It waited nearly twenty-four hours to get her casual "cool", and it added to my questions. I don't know, maybe I'd gotten it wrong, but I assumed she had lots of time.
I'd planned a dinner at the house a few weeks ago. Nothing big. Sam invited Reece as I had expected, and I did my best to befriend her. It was just the four of us. I hadn't bothered to mention the article to Jeff, although I knew he'd be ecstatic. Instead I thought Reece and I should get to know each other independent of the guys. Especially since dinner had gone so well, and a couple of times we had actually branched off into our own conversation, and her concentration on Sam had wavered. Both times it had been a simple compliment that did it, and by the end of the night we were leaving each other with humble kisses on the cheek rather than the usual smile and nod. We'd also exchanged numbers, and I'd shot her a text a few days ago to do lunch. It waited nearly twenty-four hours to get her casual "cool", and it added to my questions. I don't know, maybe I'd gotten it wrong, but I assumed she had lots of time.
When I got to the restaurant she'd left a message with the host. She was already seated and having a drink. As I approached her, I suddenly felt as though I'd been tricked. Her demeanor was withdrawn. She either hadn't sensed me walking towards her, or she didn't care to look up. She continued to stir the mixture in her glass, and when I reached the table, we were back to the smile and nod. I took my seat, and it felt like I'd stepped into her office. A waiter came, and I quickly ordered myself something to drink also. Neither of us had spoken when my phone begun to ring. It was Kayla. It was unusual. We hadn't spoken in a while, and when we had, it had been by email. I silenced the call, and sent a text instead. I took the vibe I'd gotten, and selected, "In a meeting." When I finally turned my attention to Reece, I was met with pretty direct words.
"You're a very established author, your husband is a partner at Ample Publishing, and you have a young son... I thought you would have your hands filled with things to do on a Monday afternoon." She'd made quite a statement to ask a question. I thought about it for a moment, and decided to wait on a question before I gave an answer. Instead I thought of why I'd asked her to lunch, and with her direct approach in mind, I jumped right in.
"So, do you always date so high up?"
"Not always, but Sam is nice." It was a cool and relaxed response to a clear jab, and it worked to help clear the air.
"So is it serious between you two?" I stayed my course.
"I hope so." Her words were smiling.
"Then what's your opposition to lunch. Since the guys are cool, I thought that we'd get to know each other."
"That seems honest. It's just the private nature of the invite, and that left jab you left back there."
"Come on. You didn't even greet me, and you certainly accused me of being up to no good."
"If that was your only interest then you would have invited me out with your friends."
"I just thought I should know who I'm bringing into my circle that's all."
"Your husband is a friend of Sam's it's not a reason to assume I'm asking to be part of your circle."
"Okay, Let's begin again." I offered.
"Cool. So tell me why we're here." With her question came my drink, and I didn't know what to do with it. It was not the lunch date I had in mind. It was also clear that we had hit a wall harder than the ice I thought we had broken weeks before. She'd backed me into a corner, and it was clear that this was her game and not mine. I left Reece, the drink, and a bill to cover us both behind. Without another word, I left her office. On the way out, I returned Kayla's call.
Erased, a novel
Copyright 2018 by Natisha Renee Williams, All Rights Reserved
Grace Call Communications, LLC Copyright 2018
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