NaNoWriMo Day #9

I didn't post the last couple of days because there was not much to post about.  I wrote, but not a lot.  I was feeling bad that I was behind.  Well today I kicked some butt!  I wrote 1687 words for a total of (drum roll please) 11,001!  I'm still about 4000 words behind, but I am pushing forward with this project.  I'll have a little time this weekend when I don't have any responsibilities, and I can work on it!

NaNoWriMo Day #7

Not a great day for writing.  I did wrap up chapter 3, but I am too tired to start chapter 4.  I wrote 844 words today for a total of 8474. I am losing momentum and not feeling too happy with myself.  Hopefully I can knock out chapter 4 tomorrow and get a lot of words in.

NaNoWriMo Day #6

Today was not as productive as it could have been, but I knocked out 2,025 words for a total of 7,630 words!  I'm working on chapter 3.  I would post chapter 2, but i haven't really completed it.  I didn't know where to go with it, so I just moved on to the next chapter.  Tomorrow is a new day and will hopefully be filled with lots of words!

NaNoWriMo Day #5

I didn't post an update yesterday because I decided to have a social life last night.  I know, so bad and undedicated of me, but oh well.  Anyway, I'm at 5605 words.  I wrote 1218 words today.  The day isn't over and I may write more.  I'm about 2700 words from where I should be.  I'll have to add another 1667 to that tomorrow, but I really hope to make some progress tomorrow since I'll have the whole day.

What did you think of chapter 1?  I was told by a wise person last night to think about quantity instead of quality.  That's hard to do since I would like my writing to be good.  But this month isn't about writing a masterpiece.  It's about completing a novel.  I am determined to do this! :)

NaNoWriMo Day #3

Today was productive, considering how tired I was.  I completed chapter one.  I wrote 1,093 words today for a total of 3,705.  I'm still behind, but I am feeling pretty good.  I do have the weekend to do a little catch up and maybe by Monday I will be where I need to be.

I'm going to go ahead and post chapter one.  Please keep in mind:  THIS IS A FIRST DRAFT!!!  I reread some of it and fixed a few errors (typos), but did not do a complete revise and edit.  There are holes.  Some of it may not make sense.  I'm not sure if I gave too much backstory or now.  Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback you have (as long as you keep the above in mind).

---------------------My Mother's Wedding-------------------------

The Proposal

“Leah!  C’mon!  We have a reservation.”

“I’ll be right there,” she shouted back.  She loved Adam, but he could be very impatient.

Leah looked in the mirror once more to check her hair and make-up.  Her curly hair wasn’t cooperating today so she swept it up on top of her head into a messy bun.  Adam preferred her hair down, but with this humidity there wasn’t much she could do.

“Leah!”

She sighed, grabbed her multi-colored Coach purse, and headed down the hall.  Her heels clicked on the wooden floor of the house she shared with her best friend, Zoe.  There was no way she could sneak up on Adam.  In fact, he heard her coming and had the front door open by the time she reached the living room.

“You two have fun,” Zoe smiled from her spot on the couch.

“What’s the rush?” Leah asked buckling her seat belt.

“I just don’t want to be late for our reservation,” Adam said putting the car into reverse.  Leah thought he seemed nervous, but decided he was just wound up because he had to wait on her.

THey pulled up to the restaurant and the valet open her door.  She took Adam’s hand, and he led her inside.

“Table for two?” asked the young hostess.

“We have a reservation.  The name is Adam Greenberg.”  Leah thought he sounded all professional like this was a business luncheon and not a date. “ What’s his deal?” she thought.

“Sure Mr. Greenberg.  Follow me,” said the hostess as she grabbed two menus and a wine list.

Leah and Adam were seated at a table outside.  There were twinkling Christmas lights (even though it was April) and candles.  No one else was on the patio.  A single, purple rose sat on her bread plate.

“Adam?  What’s this?  It’s not my birthday.”

“It’s for you.  Tonight is a special night.”

“It’s not our anniversary.”

“Can’t a man just do something special for his girlfriend without her asking a million questions? Now stop protesting and sit down.” His words were stern, but his tone was soft and he had that dimpled smile on his face that she had fallen in love with at first sight.

Leah sat down and picked up the rose.  She lifted it to her nose and smelled its sweet scent.  She smiled.

“Level with me Adam.  What did I do to deserve this?”

Adam laughed and took her hand, “You didn’t do anything.  You’re just you, which makes you very special to me.  That’s all.”

Leah  blushed.  ALthough she and Adam had been dating for almost two years, she still felt like it was their first date whenever he said sweet things to her.

Leah met Adam Memorial Day weekend at a friend of Zoe’s BBQ.  She had been sitting on the couch chatting with Zoe when he walked into the room.  She noticed him right away.  He was tall.  His sandy blonde hair was plastered to his head from time spent in the swimming pool.  He was wearing a blue swimsuit and no shirt.  He was not totally toned, but she could tell that he worked out.

Leah was so busy checking out the handsome stranger that she didn’t hear Zoe.

“Earth to Leah!  Are you listening?”

“S-sorry,” Leah said turning her attention back to her friend.

“I asked if you wanted anything to drink  I’m heading to the kitchen to get a burger.”

“Sure, I’ll take another XXXX. Thanks!”

Right about this time he noticed her.  He smiled and it was then that she noticed his blue eyes.

“Hi,” he said sitting down on the couch, “my name is Adam.”

“Leah,” she said extending her hand.  He had soft skin.

“How do you know Bill and Mary?” he asked.

“My friend, Zoe, works with Mary.  What about you?”

“Bill is my big brother.  They throw parties all the time.  Why haven’t I seen you before?”

“Mary has been asking Zoe for years, but she usually goes to her parent’s beach house this weekend.  Something came up and she decided to stay in town.”

“What about you?  What do you usually do?”

“Me?  I usually don’t do anything.  Sure it’s a three day weekend, but it’s not all that big of a deal to me.  It’s not like Independence Day.  I mean, it’s important to remember those who fought for us, but I just don’t...”  Why was she all of a sudden so flustered?

“It’s ok,” he said patting her hand, “I understand what you mean.  Besides, those past years don’t matter.  All that counts is that you made it to Bill and Mary’s this year.”  He smiled.  He had a cute dimple on the left side.

“Thanks.” 

Zoe walked back in.  Adam stood up and helped her with her full hands.  “Hi, I’m Adam, Bill’s brother.”

“Zoe.  Nice to meet you.”

“So, Leah said you work with Mary.  Are you a writer too?” Adam asked Zoe.

“Sure am.  Writer’s in the Schools is a great organization to work for.  I’m assigned to work with high school kids.  I know Mary prefers the elementary kids.  It’s great getting to teach craft to these kids and still have time to write in my spare time.”

“Have you been published?”

Zoe wrinkled her nose, “Just a few poems here and there.  Nothing special.  I’m currently working on a novel.”

Leah listened to her friend talk about her writing project.  She was wondering why Adam took such an interest in Zoe.  She felt inadequate.  She seemed to disappear just as Zoe walked in the room.

“What about you Leah?”

“Huh?”

“What do you do for a living?”

“Yeah, Leah.  Tell him about the great work you do.”

Leah blushed.  She did do great work.  “I work for (INSERT CAUSE HERE).  I’m an educator.  It is my job to go into the community and educate professionals and those dealing with the disease.”

“Wow!  Admirable work,” Adam said patting her hand again.

Leah felt electricity with his touch.

“I’m going to go see what is going on outside,” Zoe said.

“We’ll go with you,” said Leah standing up.

Adam stood too.

“No, you guys stay here.  I’m going to go find Mary and ask her about the dip.  It is to die for.”

Leah thought that maybe her best friend in the whole wide world was trying to give her some time alone with Adam.  Why was she so worried before?  Adam was just being friendly.  Zoe was too.  Leah didn’t know what to do.  Stay inside alone with Adam and talk or follow her friend out to where the rest of the party was.  Luckily she didn’t have to decide.  Adam decided for her.

“I was about to go out and grab another beer,” he said.

The three of them walked outside into the sunlight.  Music was blaring and there were lots of people in the pool.  Zoe slipped her shades down from her head and walked over to Mary.  Adam led the way to the beer coolers.  He selected a Shiner Blonde and closed the cooler.

“Why don’t we just sit here?”  he asked.

“On the cooler?”

“Yeah, why not?”

They laughed and sat down. 

“So, I’ve told you what I do.  What about you?  What do you do?”

“You don’t wanna know,” he said laughing.

She smiled, “Yes I do or I wouldn’t have asked.”

“I’m a lawyer.  I work for a small firm in the city.  I do mostly family law.”

“Nice.  Where did you go to school?”

“I did my undergrad at UT. You?”

“Me too!  What a small world.”

Adam smiled.  Leah was starting to really like that smile.  “When were you there?”

“2003-2007.  What about you?”

“YEAR-YEAR.  We were there at the same time and never met.  What was your major?”

“I was in the psychology department.”

“Oh, one of those...” he grinned.

“Funny!” she said feeling a little unsure of herself.  Maybe he thought psychology majors were crazy or something.  Maybe he was just joking around.  Maybe she was crazy because sitting here, close to him on a beer cooler, was making her nervous.

“Were you in a sorority?”

“No.  I was in the Psychology honor society and did some volunteering with different organizations, but I never wanted to be greek.”

“I was in a frat.  They aren’t as bad as they seem.  It’s good for networking once you are out of college.  You’d be surprised how many people out there were in a sorority or fraternity.”

Again Leah felt inadequate.  Here she was out of college for eight years and was feeling bad for not having rushed.

“Anyway, what do you do for fun?” Adam asked.

Leah smiled.  She didn’t know why she was so worried, so nervous.  “Zoe and I spend a lot of time hanging out on Washington Ave.  There are some cool places down there.  I also enjoy movies, live music, and playing board games.  Zoe and I host a game night every few months.  It’s a lot of fun!”

“Very cool!  I don’t get down on Washington Ave. too much, but I have been to Pearl Bar.  That was fun.  The hula hoops are awesome.”

“Yeah, imagine that.  People over 21 enjoying alcohol and hula hoops.”

They laughed.  Silence washed over them, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence.  It was just silence.  They looked at each other and smiled.  Leah kept blushing from all the attention.  

The time spent on that beer cooler seemed to last forever.  They talked about their jobs, families, and hobbies.  Leah learned that he loves photography.  Adam learned that she is an avid scrapbooker.  Leah felt that this was one thing that made them a good match.

Zoe walked over to them sometime after dark.  “Hey Leah, it’s getting late.  I’ve got to teach a wild bunch of ninth graders about metaphors in the morning.”  

Leah looked down at her watch.  It was already nine o’clock.  Where did the evening go?  “It was very nice to meet you Adam.”

“You too Leah.  It was a pleasure.”

Leah blushed.

“I would like to call you, if that’s ok.  Maybe take you out.”

“I would like that,” she said.

Silence followed.  Zoe looked back and forth between the two.  “Our number is 713-555-6424.”

Adam punched the numbers into his cell phone.  “Thanks Zoe.  It was nice to meet you too.  I’ll talk to you later Leah.”

“Bye,” Zoe and Leah said. 

They walked out to Zoe’s car, thanking the hosts on the way.  After they were in her red, Ford Focus, Zoe jumped on Leah.

“So?  Tell me about him.  Did you feel a connection?  Do you have anything in common?  Are you going to go out with him?”

Leah laughed at her friend.  “Slow down.  Adam was very nice, and I really enjoyed talking to him.  If he calls I would like to go out with him.”

“If he calls?  If?  He was totally into you.  You two spent forever talking as if the rest of us didn’t exist.”

Leah smiled.  At some point it had begun to feel like they were the only two people there.  She had gotten lost in the conversation.  She had gotten lost in his eyes.

Zoe turned onto their tree-lined street.  “I’m happy for you Leah.  You’ve had all that bad luck with online dating.  It’s time you found someone nice who will treat you right.”

“Thanks Zo, I can’t wait for him to call.”

Here they were out for a nice dinner almost two years later, and Adam was still very attentive.  He studied the wine list.  “We’ll take a bottle of XXXX,” he told the waiter.

“Adam?  A bottle?”

“I told you, it’s a special night.” 

Leah looked over the menue.  There were so many good things to choose from.  After all, they were at her favorite restaurant.  Leah wondered what was so special about tonight.

“What are you going to eat?”

“Hmm...” Leah said looking over the menu once more.  “I think I’ll have the chicken picatta with fettachini alfredo.  What about you?”

“I think I’m’ going to get XXXX XX XXX.”

The waiter came with their wine.  He opened the bottle and poured some in Adam’s glass.

“Perfect,” he said taking a sip.

The waiter filled both their glasses and asked if they were ready to order.

Leah was about to answer, but Adam spoke up first.  “The lady will have the chicken picatta with fettacihini alfredo.  I’ll have XXXX XX XXX.”

“Excellent choices.  Your food will be out soon.”

Leah knew something was going on.  Adam hadn’t ordered for her in well over a year.  It was something he had done when they first started dating, but had stopped over time.

“Why are you acting so strange?”

“Me? Strange?”

“Yes you. My favorite restaurant, the rose, the wine, ordering for me.  It’s all very special, but what is so special about today?”

“You call me impatient?  I’m trying to make a nice evening for us.  I’m trying to make it memorable.”

Memorable?  But why...”  All of a sudden it clicked in Leah’s head.  He got the promotion at work and wanted to surprise her.  She was going to ruin it with all her questions and impatience.  She didn’t know what to say next.  She could either keep pestering him or let on that she knows.  Neither option seemed appealing.

“Ok.  I’ll stop bothering you about it, but only if we can order a Dessert Rosa.”  Leah smiled.

Adam smiled back, “Of course.”

Leah enjoyed the rest of dinner.  They made small talk and Leah did her best to act normal.  Adam had to tell her in his own time.

After the dessert plates were cleared away, Adam took her hand.  He felt clammy and a bit shaky.   Leah couldn’t figure out why telling her he made partner at the firm would make him so nervous.

“Leah...” he started.

Leah looked at him through her glasses.

“I love you and I would like to travel the road of life together.”

“We’re going on a trip? Where too?” Leah was a bit confused.  Maybe he wanted to go somewhere to celebrate his new job.

“No Leah, not a trip.  A journey.”

“A journey?”

Adam cleared his throat and adjusted his tie.  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.  Leah still didn’t process what was happening.

Adam stood up and knelt down in front of Leah’s chair.  “I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”  He opened the box to reveal a perfect diamond on a white gold band.

“Adam!  I... Wow!  I...”

“Leah Goldstein, will you marry me?”

“Yes Adam!  Yes!” She thew her arms about his neck.

He pulled back, took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately.  Leah felt the same sparks she did with their first kiss.

When the kiss was over she studied his face and looked deep into his eyes.  “You’ve made me the happiest woman on this planet.”

“Good,” he said smiling.

Leah looked down at the ring on her left hand.  “It’s gorgeous,” she breathed.

“I was hoping you would think so.  We never really talked about it, so I wasn’t sure what you would like.  I asked Zoe, and she was a big help.”

“Zoe knows?”

“She sure does.  So do our parents.  In fact, they are all waiting for us back at your place to celebrate.”

“Oh.  I guess you were pretty confident that I would say yes,” she joked.

“I was hopeful,” he said smiling.

They stood up and Adam took her hand in his.  They walked through the restaurant without noticing the crowds and busy waiters.  Once again, it was only the two of them that existed.

The valet brought the car around.  Leah kept looking down at her hand admiring the sparkling diamond.  “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Which part?  The beautiful diamond ring or the proposal?”

“All of it.  I am so lucky to get to spend the rest of my life with the most wonderful man in the world.”

“I’m the lucky one,” he said taking her hand.

When they pulled up in front of her house she saw her parent’s Mercedes along with the Greenberg’s Lexus.  “Are you ready?” he asked.

“As ready as I’ll be,” she said.

“Aren’t you excited?”

“I am, but I kinda just want to be alone iwth you.”

“I wanna be alone with you too,” Adam winked.

Leah leaned in to kiss him.  Their lips touched and again there were sparks.  It had always been that way with Adam.

He waited until the third date to kiss her.  They had gone out to Sherlock’s, a local bar, to hear a cover band, Rat Ranch.  Adam had been following the band for a while, and introduced Leah to them.

“Did you enjoy the band?” Adam asked walking her up to her front porch.

“They were very entertaining.  Not only did they sound good but the lead singer was hilarious.  He has the most interesting facial expressions.”

He laughed.  “Yeah, he’s crazy.  Even cracks up the other guys.”

“I noticed that.”

They stood under the porch light on a warm summer night letting the comfortable silence settle around them.  Leah was happy.  Everything with Adam was going great.  They talked on the phone for hours, emailed throughout the day, and enjoyed weekly dates.  The more she got to know him, the more she liked him.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” he asked all serious.

Leah had no idea where this was going.  “Umm... Sure...”

“Can I kiss you?”

Leah blushed.  She knew the first kiss would come up sooner or later.  She was very nervous, but excited with anticipation.  “I would like that,” she answered.

Adam stepped closer and took her face in his hands.  He leaned in and touched his lips to hers.  Leah felt a jolt of electricity jump from his body to hers.  She leaned into the kiss, putting her body against his and wrapping her arms around his waist.  It felt so good to be close to him.

After a couple of minutes, he pulled his lips away from hers.  She opened her eyes to find Adam staring at her.

“What?” she asked worried that there had been something wrong with the kiss.

He brushed a strand of hair out of her face.  “You’re pretty.”

She blushed.  “Thank you,” she said looking down.

Adam reached over and lifted her chin.  He kissed her again.  She closed her eyes and relaxed into his arms.  It was amazing!

The truly amazing part was that even after all the time that has passed and the kisses that have been exchanged, it still felt like the first time.  All she could think about as they sat in front of her house in his car was that she was going to get to do this for the rest of her life.

All of a sudden there was a knock on her window.  Adam and Leah jumped and looked outside.  “Oh my goodness, it’s my mom!”

There, right outside the car, stood Judith Goldstein.  She wore a pair of leggings and a purple tunic.  Her blonde hair was straight and clipped back.  Adam jumped out of the car and hurried around to Leah’s door.  Before she could climb out her mother was grabbing at her left hand.  “Let me see!”

“Mom, please.  Just let me get out of the car.”

“Hellow Mrs. Goldstein,” said Adam.  HE sounded nervous again.

“Call me mom,” said Judith hugging him.

Leah rolled her eyes.  “Call her Judith.”

The three of them walked toward the house.  Judith was asking a ton of questions, but not allowing Leah to answer any of them.

“How did he ask you?”

“He...”

“Did you know he was going to propose?”
“No, I...”

“How big is that diamond?”

“Not...”

“Adam, did you get it insured?”

“Mother!  Stop!”

“Honey, I’m just excited!  We all are.”

Leah had just stepped into her living room to see the Greenbergs and Zoe sitting there talking.  When they saw Leah and Adam they jumped up and rushed toward them.   Zoe threw her arms around her best friend.  Mrs. Greenberg hugged Adam. Maybe her mother wasn’t a total nutcase.  Maybe she was just as excited as everyone else.

“Leah! I’m so excited for you!” Zoe exclaimed.

“Welcome to the family!” said Mr. Greenberg.  He put his arms around Leah and Adam.  “We are so glad that you and Adam are going to get married.”

“I’m excited too Mr. Greenberg.”

“Please, call me Ben.”

Zoe pulled out a bottle of champagne and a box wrapped in bright pink paper.

“I’ll get the glasses,” said Judith as she rushed off to the dining room.

“Leah, I got you something.  When Adam told me he was going to propose I had to find you something perfect to get you started.”

“Oh Zoe!”

Leah ripped open the box.  Inside was a wedding planner and scrapbook combination called The Ultimate Wedding Planner and Organizer.

“This is perfect for me!  I love it!”

“Thought you would.”

Judith returned with the champagne glasses.  Mr. Greenberg popped it open.

“Who wants to go first?” asked Judith.

“I will,” spoke up Daniel, Leah’s father.  Everyone took a glass and turned their attention to Daniel.

“Today my daughter was asked to marry a wonderful man.  She accepted bringing not only a good husband for her, but one great son-in-law into the family.  Congrats to Leah and Adam.”

“Mazel tov!”

“L’chiam!”

“Let me go next,” said Judith.  “My baby girl is all grown up.  She has made quite a life for herself and now she is adding on to that life.  Adam, you are a great addition to Leah’s life, and we are so happy to have you in our family.”

“Mazel tov!”

“L’chiam!”

Leah enjoys the time with her family and best friend.  There are many kind words said, and she is so excited.  Adam is her dream guy and soon they will marry and cement their love forever.

Now comes the hard part--planning the wedding.

NaNoWriMo Day #2

Today was not a total washout like I thought it would be.  I wrote 1,043 words for a total of 2,612 words over the past two days.  Not too bad.  I've already beat last year's numbers.  I just need to keep moving forward.  Tomorrow is a new day.  May it be filled with lots of words! :)

NaNoWriMo Day #1

1569 words completed---only 98 from my daily goal.  I tried to push myself to write those 98 words, but I couldn't do it.  Feeling like a failure right now...