“A small grant,” said Dylan modestly.“But it’s nice to get the support while doing something I love.”
“Do you have any workshops coming up?”asked Sam.“I’ve always thought a writing class would be fun to take.Not that I’d ever be serious with writing, but I like trying new things.”
“Not right now.I just finished a session.Spring workshops are on hold due to budget cuts.But I can let you know if that changes.”
“Thanks.”
Dylan glanced at his watch.“I’d better head out now.Good talking to you both.Take it easy; you deserve it after finding Margaret.”
After Dylan walked out, Charlotte shook her head.“I worry about Dylan, I have to admit.He’s such a sensitive guy.I feel like the world just crushes him.”She paused.“I wonder if the workshop was really canceled because of budget cuts.”
“What do you think happened?”
Charlotte pursed her lips.“Maybe Dylan pulled out of it out of embarrassment.Maybe he thought no one would sign up for a creative writing or poetry course from someone who had such a public embarrassment like he did at the open mic night.”
There was a loud beeping sound behind the shop, and Charlotte raised her hands in dismay.“I forgot about the book shipment.”
“I need to get going, anyway.See you later, Charlotte.”
Sam headed back home to take care of Arlo.It wasn’t just Arlo, of course.Sam wanted to get all her thoughts out of her head and onto paper.
She pulled into her driveway, turned off the engine, and sat for a moment in the quiet.Through the front window, she could see Arlo’s face pressed against the glass, his tail wagging so hard his whole body wiggled.
Inside, she was greeted with enthusiastic snuffles and circling.“I know, I know.I’ve been gone too long, haven’t I?”Sam gave him a thorough ear rub before heading to the kitchen to refill his water bowl.
Her notebook sat on the kitchen table where she’d left it.She opened it and wrote “Book Club—What I Know.”
She started with the obvious suspects: everyone who’d been at the meeting.
Claire Mills: Club President
Motive: Margaret savagely critiqued her romance manuscript (years of work).
Seems more hurt than angry.Too obvious?
Pointed me toward Gerald.
Gerald Parker: Club Treasurer
Motive??
Behavior: Extremely nervous, evasive, deflecting
Left book club quickly (unusual for him per Charlotte)
Hiding something?
Pointed me to Sofia
Dylan Morrison: Poet
Motive: Public humiliation at open mic night
Margaret gave a negative quote for an article in the local paper
Works at the community center teaching creative writing and poetry
Mentioned Gerald and Pamela disliking Margaret
