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“You were here?”
I got see her be so intimate. Not for show. This woman’s so genuine it’s astounding. I say softly, “The whole reading. You didn’t say I couldn’t listen. I’ve got to go. I’ll send Jerrod back for you.”
“Who’s Jerrod?”
“Kind of an intern/assistant/producer and driver. He’s our catch-all.”
She shuffles her feet and looks down. I guide her chin up to look at me again. “Did you change your schedule? Aren’t you supposed to be in Wisconsin?”
“I was. Now I owe Jeff. Someone dropped out, and I jumped on the opportunity. I’ve never wanted to be in Atlanta more. To be honest, I don’t remember ever wanting to be in Atlanta.”
She beams at me, and her eyes fucking sparkle. She grins and teases me a bit, “You changed your schedule to see me.”
“I also did it for the sex. And the orgasms you’re going to bestow on me because you’re so touched I showed up here.” I go to her ear and nip the shell and whisper. “I did it to surprise you because you’re the biggest surprise in the longest time.”
“I have to do my thing.” She pushes me away. Good for her because I was about to rip her shirt open and see what color is underneath. Then she places her hand in mine.
I say, “Go be brilliant and sparkly, but save some for me.”
“You too. Be a genius.” A quick kiss and I run out of the store. I glance back, and she’s still looking at me. We’re insanely annoying for only being with each other for approximately seven hours.
15
Tess
No one’s ever made me feel unearthly before, as if I’m in another realm. I float into my tea, and everyone applauds. I speak to the crowd.
“Sit down, everyone.” There’re place cards. That’s bullshit. I pick up a chair and take it to the back table and announce, “I’m going to visit with you all. Like it’s my wedding. Which I’m only guessing about since I’ve never been close to marriage.”
Someone yells, “What about Carlos Gardenia last night?”
I address the room, “Just a kiss while dancing. That’s it. But he’s so brilliant any one of you would have done it too.”
They roar with laughter.
“Then who was that earlier?” another voice shouts out.
“That’s my TBD.” More laughter. I settle into the first table. The fans happily discuss their worlds as well as my writing. Some want to be writers and editors. Lots have lost loved ones or survived cancer. I sip coffee, snack, then move on every fifteen minutes.
I’m restless. I wish I could concentrate, but he came to find me. He couldn’t stand to be away from me. It’s all that’s floating through my brain. He’s not done with me.
The book questions are about her dress color or why she ate steak instead of chicken on their first date. I don’t know. They just do. It’s evolved from my pen to their ears and eyes. I have no control over my characters anymore. I’ve released them into the wild, where they’ll evolve with the reader.
An awkward, skinny guy, who can’t be more than twenty-two, peeks his head in the room. He’s staring at his phone and searching the room. I wave to Jerrod, and he motions to his watch. I thank the crowd and hug the bookstore owners.
“Jerrod? I’m Tess.”
“We gotta jet. He’ll kill me if I don’t get you there soon. He’s texted like nine times.”
* * *
“This is the first time I’ve had to deliver a woman.” His lank, mousy brown hair falls in his eyes, his smile is warm, but his brow is furrowed.
“Please call me Tess.”
“This is the first time I’ve delivered a Tess. They don’t date much. Three of them are married. Jeff’s divorced, and Alex hooks up a lot. I’ve delivered condoms, but never a Tess…” He’s trying to fill the space between us, but I don’t think I need all this information. “...but mostly no one can get in the way of the mission. The things that matter to them, the politics, gerrymandering, immigration, voting districting, socio-economic policies—”
I interrupt him. “Climate change.”
